Since Jan, swine flu has killed 51 in Rajasthan

Out of the 1,335 people diagnosed with swine flu in January in Rajasthan, as many as 51 have lost their lives.

In the past few days, there is a rise in the number of swine flu deaths.

On Monday, 102 people were tested positive for swine flu out of which 47 were diagnosed with H1N1 influenza in Jaipur.

The same day, a video conference was held between officials from the Centre and those from the state's health department.

The Centre not only directed the health department officials to remain vigilant but also directed them to ensure early diagnosis and treatment to prevent mortality due to swine flu.

According to a health department report, when compared to men, many women, around 57% of the total deaths, have died of the flu during the current outbreak of the disease in the state.

Pregnant women are at a higher risk— the report shows that 6.1% of swine flu deaths among women were associated with pregnancy.

Swine flu is an infection caused by one of the several swine influenza viruses (SIV), with H1N1 strain being the most common across the country.

Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur, additional director in the health department, said, "We have already sent our teams to schools, colleges and different centres. We are appealing the public to take Tammi Flu when they feel cold and cough".

The symptoms of swine flu are the same as those of seasonal flu, also known as a viral fever, which includes cough, sore throat, and body ache.

Meanwhile, former chief minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje attacked the Congress government over its "failure" to tackle the swine flu menace in the state.

"Had the Congress-led state government been alert, swine flu would not have claimed so many lives in the state," she said while addressing party workers at her constituency, Jhalawar.