Azad, Cabinet Secretary meet to discuss swine flu situation

NEW DELHI: As deaths due to swine flu continue to rise, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today discussed with Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar the situation arising out of spread of the viral disease.

The meeting, also attended by Health Secretary Naresh Dayal, came soon after two more deaths due to swine flu were reported in the country and discussed the measures to contain the further spread of the disease.

Swine flu has so far claimed six lives. A 35-year-old ayurvedic doctor today died of swine flu in Pune, while a four-year-old boy lost his life due to the virus in Chennai.

With spread of viral infection going up, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had yesterday asked the Health Ministry to co-ordinate with state governments efforts to contain further spread of the disease.

Singh had also asked Azad to take steps to remove misinformation and educate people about the disease.

PMO sources said the Prime Minister told Azad to set up a panel of experts and doctors to spread correct information about the H1N1 virus that causes swine flu.

Azad yesterday advised state governments to set up separate OPD sections and wards in hospitals to screen and treat patients suffering from the deadly viral disease.