Swine Flu claims over 190 lives in India in January

03 Feb, New Delhi

Swine flu has claimed over 190 lives in the country in January this year alone with Telangana reporting the highest number of cases of people afflicted with the H1N1 virus followed by Delhi, said Arun Panda, Additional Secretary in Union Health Ministry.

Panda said, the Secretary of the Ministry will hold a video conference with officials of the affected states today, Tuesday to discuss the measures to be taken to combat the disease.

The total number of cases of swine flu coming to light across India in January stood at 2,038 this year. While Delhi saw 488 persons coming down with the disease with five deaths reported between January 1 to February 1 of this year, Telangana recorded 629 cases with 34 deaths. The Health Ministry data said that 205 swine flu cases were reported in Rajasthan, where the death toll from the virus stands at 49, while 73 cases have been noted in Maharashtra with 22 casualties. Swine Flu claimed 42 lives so far while 320 persons tested H1N1 positive .

In Gujarat, three persons from Kutch and one from Banaskantha died yesterday. Meanwhile, 11 new cases have been registered in the state as the total number of swine flu cases has risen to 320.

State Health Minister Nitin Patel spoke to Union Health Minister J.P.Nadda over the phone on the prevailing situation of swine flu in the state. Patel said that a central team of senior officials and experts will visit Gujarat. It is likely to visit Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Kutch region to review the preparedness of the state.

Swine Flu claimed one live in Odisha while three persons tested positive.