Swine flu cases on the rise: Health ministry

While the influenza A subtype H3N2 virus is the dominant virus in India, cases of swine flu (H1N1) are also gradually increasing in several parts of the country, showed the Union health ministry data.

A total of 955 H1N1 cases were reported in the country till February, as per the data, with the highest number of cases in Tamil Nadu (545), followed by Maharashtra (170), Gujarat (74), Kerala (42) and Punjab (28). The health ministry has said that H1N1 cases are expected to decline from March-end and that it is tracking and monitoring the cases.

The data showed that 397,814 cases of acute respiratory illness and influenza-like illness were reported in the country till February.