25 swine flu deaths in Rajasthan this year

Highly-contagious swine flu virus is refusing to die down in Rajasthan with 25 deaths reported in the state since the start of this year, an official said on Thursday.

"Since the start of this year till February 10, 25 people have died due to swine flu virus in the state. Besides this, 128 others have been found H1N1 positive," a medical and health department official told IANS here.

Maximum of 10 deaths have been reported from Jaipur, while four have died to the H1N1 virus in Ajmer and two in Churu and rest are from other cities.

Out of positive cases, 82 have been reported from Jaipur, 8 from Alwar and 6 from Ajmer while rest of the cases are from other cities.

"We are taking steps to curb the spread of the disease," said the official.

Looking at the spurt in the cases, the state government has directed to have separate out patient departments (OPDS), isolation wards and ICUs in all government-run hospitals for the persons suffering from highly contagious virus.

Hospitals all over the state have also been asked to keep full stock of medicines used for its treatment.

A survey of 50 houses situated near the house where a positive case of swine flu has been reported is also being undertaken.

In 2015, swine flu had hit the state hard as over 6,800 swine flu positive cases were reported in the state in the calendar year and death toll was 468.