Swine flu death toll reaches 22 in Gujarat; 170 cases reported

Ahmedabad: Swine flu has claimed 22 lives in Gujarat this month, while the total number of cases has scaled up to 170 across the state, officials said Tuesday.

"The death-toll due to Swine flu reached 22 today, while the total number of H1N1 cases has scaled up to 170 in the entire state," Health Commissioner of Gujarat J P Gupta said.

Kutch district is the worst affected, where around 81 cases, including five deaths, have been reported, while Jamnagar has registered 12 cases including five deaths, he said.

Cases were also reported in major cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot, Gupta said.

According to him, the state health department today held a video conference with around 300 doctors to make them aware about the swine flu.

"We held a video conference with around 300 private doctors across the state. We asked them to follow proper protocol and get involved in the state's relief work. We told them to follow early and proper diagnosis," Gupta said.

Since the swine flu virus spreads through the air, so the state health department is trying to make people aware about avoiding public places.

The state government will also launch an advertisement campaign against the deadly disease, Gupta said.