Network of 21 labs established to combat swine flu: JP Nadda

NEW DELHI: To combat the outbreak of swine flu in the country, the Centre has established a network of 21 laboratories equipped to test the H1N1 virus and is providing logistics support for drugs, masks and personal protective equipment and vaccines, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

The government has been monitoring the HINI outbreak situation and was maintaining a regular touch with the affected state governments, Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda said.

He also said that till March 11, 1587 deaths have been reported with Gujarat registering the highest so far with 362 deaths, Rajasthan with 359 and Maharashtra with 247 deaths.

Till the same period, the country has reported over 1,500 swine flue deaths since January this year while more than 27,000 people have been affected by the virus, he said.

In a written reply, he said that during the last three months, 27,886 cases where people have been infected with the virus, with Rajasthan alone reporting 6,093 such cases.