Swine flu kills 11 in Rajasthan

As many as 11 deaths have been reported this year in Rajasthan due to the highly contagious H1N1 virus, popularly known as swine flu, officials said.

"Since the start of this year till January 19, 11 people have died due to swine flu virus in the state. Besides, 54 people have been found positive for swine flu," a medical and health department official told IANS.

Jaipur reported the maximum of five deaths, followed by two in Bikaner, and one each in Ajmer, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Kota.

Likewise, out of the 54 positive cases, 32 were reported from Jaipur, six from Kota, and the rest from other cities.

In 2015, swine flu had hit the state hard, with over 6,800 positive cases reported in the year and the toll hitting 468.

Rajasthan's Medical and Health Minister Rajendra Rathore has directed the setting up of separate out patient departments (OPD), isolation wards and ICUs in all government hospitals for people suffering from H1N1.

He asked hospital authorities to keep ventilators ready and provide three-layer masks in OPDs.

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

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

"We will undertake a survey of at least 50 homes situated near houses where positive cases of swine flu have been reported," a medical and health department official said.