Rajasthan sees 38 swine flu cases

As many as 21 new positive cases of swine flu have been reported in Rajasthan in the last seven days, taking the total number of people suffering from the highly contagious H1N1 virus to 38 this year, officials said on Wednesday.

"These 21 cases have been reported in the period from January 6 to January 12. Since the start of this year, five people have died due to the virus in the state," a medical and health department official told IANS.

Of these five deaths, two were reported from Jaipur and one each from Sikar, Kota and Churu.

Of the 38 cases, the maximum 22 cases were reported from Jaipur, followed by six from Kota and three from Sikar and the rest from other places.

In 2015, over 6,800 swine flu cases were reported, and 468 people died.

Besides educating people about swine flu through posters, banners and advertisements, the state government has also decided to conduct blood and other diagnostic tests on patients showing signs of swine flu.

"We have decided to undertake a survey of at least 50 houses situated near houses where positive cases of swine flu have been reported," the official said.

For providing early relief to patients, rapid response teams are also being set up.

Government hospitals have been asked to keep full stock of medicines for H1N1.