UP govt succeeded in checking spread of swine flu: Minister

Lucknow: Swine flu has claimed 17 deaths in Uttar Pradesh so far, the state government informed the Assembly on Wednesday, adding, that it has "succeeded" in checking the spread of the disease.

"The state government is very serious as far as swine flu is concerned. It has checked its spread and out of population of over 21 crore, only 17 deaths were reported. The BJP-ruled states like Rajasthan and Gujarat have done nothing and the number of deaths there are in thousands," Minister of State for Health Shankh Lal Manjhi said in reply to a question in Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday.

The issue was raised during question hour by members of BJP, Congress, RLD, and BSP.

"Though we don't have testing facilities everywhere, it is ensured that test report is made available to patients within 24 hours," the minister claimed.

The minister also said that no cases were reported in the state for past 10 days and a panic was created by media about the disease.

Leader of Opposition, Swami Prasad Maurya, staged a walkout along with other BSP members, alleging that swine flu has spread due to government's apathy.