Swine flu claims 3 more lives, toll mounts to 52 in Raj

With three more persons succumbing to swine flu, toll of the disease-related deaths in Rajasthan has climbed to 52, prompting authorities to take several measures to contain the spread of the H1N1 virus.
One person each of Chittorgarh, Jaipur and Kota died in government-run hospitals in the last 24 hours, an official of the state medical and health directorate said, referring to a report compiled at directorate.
Meanwhile, Jaipur Collector Krishna Kunal has directed schools not to conduct morning assembly sessions till February end, an official spokesman said.
The medical and health minister also directed hospitals to submit test reports online within 12 hours. Leaves of doctors and medical staff have been cancelled in view of the exigency, minister RS Rathore said.

The Medical and Health Directorate (MHD) has also set up a control room for swine flu and started telephone lines for patients, the official said.
Senior officers at the directorate with medical degrees have been sent to all district headquarters to monitor and provide aid to patients who report to government hospitals, he said.

State medical and health director Dr B R Meena said the MHD was working round-the-clock on 11 points to prevent swine flu's spread and for its treatment.
Screening of patients has been strengthened and medicine supplies in hospitals have been increased along with setting up of isolation wards and ICUs, he added.

The condition of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan home minister G C Kataria, who had tested positive for the H1N1 virus, was said to have improved today, their personal secretaries said.
So far, Jaipur has recorded 16 deaths due to swine flu, the maximum in Rajasthan followed by Ajmer 10, Nagaur 6, Tonk 3, Kota, Bikaner, Dausa, Jodhpur, Barmer, Bundi and Banswara 2 each, and Alwar, Pali, and Dungarpur one each since January this year.