Swine flu death toll 204 till November

As many as 831 confirmed cases of swine flu were reported in the country between January 2014 and November 30, out of which 204 people died.

The maximum number of cases (155) was reported in Gujarat, where 55 people succumbed to the disease followed by Maharashtra with 42 deaths and 112 cases. Karnataka and Punjab reported 294 cases and 33 deaths and 56 cases and 30 deaths respectively.

According to data provided by the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, cases of Influenza A H1N1 that causes swine flu have come to light since 2009-10, with sporadic outbreaks being reported from various States including Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala.

Guidelines on screening

To check the spread of the virus that killed 75 people in 2011, 405 in 2012 and 699 in 2013, the Ministry has provided guidelines on screening and categorisation of patients, laboratory diagnosis, infection control, home care and clinical management.

Technical support for early case detection is provided by Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and through a network of 26 laboratories in the government sector.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and can be transmitted to humans. Symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to most influenza infections, which include fever, cough, nasal secretions, fatigue, and headache.