Swine flu under control: Govt

Owing to the "effective" and "extraordinary" measures adopted by the Centre against the spread of the H1N1 virus, the deadly disease is under control in the country, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said today.    

"Swine flu is totally under control and presence of H1N1 virus is very negligible in the country. Its spread has also been effectively checked as we took extraordinary precautions," Azad said in Orissa's capital city.    

Spread of the disease was checked following strict screening at all the entry points, including airports and sea ports, the minister informed.    

"While the US, whose population is about one fourth of ours, has recorded around 18,000 cases of swine flu and 45 deaths, in India only 35 cases have been reported so far. Of these 12 have been discharged after treatment and 23 are undergoing treatment at various hospitals," he added.    

These patients were those who had come from foreign countries, particularly the US, and an advisory has already been issued asking people to avoid unnecessary visits to those countries hit by the virus.    

As only two laboratories, one in Delhi and another in Pune, were equipped to test blood samples for H1N1 virus, orders have also been issued to upgrade facilities in 16 other laboratories across the country.    

Ten million swine flu medicine capsules have been procured and arrangement for six million more are made, he informed adding rapid response teams of doctors have also been drafted.