Swine flu: Health Secy takes stock

Alarmed over high rise in swine flu cases across the country, Union Health Secretary BP Sharma on Wednesday took stock of the situation. According a health ministry official, a total of 5,157 cases of swine flu has been reported since January 1 this year so far and the deadly virus claimed 407 lives. The death cases were largely reported from Delhi, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Telangana. Though the official has claimed the situation is not as grim as in 2013, when it claimed 226 lives. 

According to ministry official, the government is procuring additional medicines and protective masks with a view to step up the level of preparedness to deal with the disease. The Centre has placed an order for enhancing stock of diagnostic kits under IDSP  being used for testing H1N1 influenza.