Mosquito bite causes "spread" of swine flu: Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA: Mosquito bite in many cases causes the "spread" of swine flu, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said today.

"People have to move from one place to another. In many cases, it spreads from mosquito bites. We have asked the authorities to keep isolated beds ready to tackle the situation," the chief minister said.

Her remarks came as five new cases of swine flu were detected in the city in the past 24 hours. She said her government is working seriously towards controlling the spread of the disease.

"Five new cases of swine flu were detected in the city in the last 24 hours taking the total number to 47," state Health Secretary Moloy Dey said.

Banerjee said, "We are initiating immediate action to arrest the spread of the disease. Humanitarian ground demands this. It is also our social commitment."

"There is nothing to get panicked, the situation will improve soon. Don't be tense," she said.

The disease has claimed two lives in the state so far.