Ranchi (PTI): With swine flu tightening its grip on the country, the Jharkhand government on Saturday decided to set up three labs for testing samples and asked major hospitals in the state to open isolation wards.

Directing Health Secretary Sivendu to initiate steps in this regard, Governor K Sankaranaryan asked the department to ensure cleanliness and hygienic conditions in at the health centres.

The health secretary apprised the governor of the measures taken by the department to combat swine flu.

While three laboratories would be set up for sample testing, special teams have been deployed at Ranchi airport, Ranchi railway station, Tatanagar railway station and Bokaro rail junction to keep a vigil on passengers.

Only one swine flu case had been detected in Jamshedpur last week.

Malaria and diarrhoea drugs have also been made available to all district and block hospitals and Anganwadi centres, the health secretary said.