Swine flu claims 9 more lives in Gujarat, death toll reaches 280

Ahmedabad: With swine flu claiming nine more lives in Gujarat in the last 24 hours, the death toll in the state due to the infection has reached 280 since January this year.

As per the health bulletin issued today by the state government, nine persons infected with the H1N1 virus, have died in different parts of the state, while 191 new cases were registered in the state on Monday. As many as 17 swine flu patients died across the state on Sunday.

At present, 1,981 H1N1 infected-people are being treated in different hospitals across the state. Among these, 17 are on ventilator, while nine have died during the last 24 hours, the bulletin added.

Gujarat health minister Shankar Chaudhary today held a meeting with the health officials to take stock of situation.

He also announced the formation of a special squad to monitor the treatment being given to patients in government as well as private hospitals, said the release.