Swine Flu: 6 more deaths in Gujarat, toll rises to 37

Swine flu on Saturday claimed six lives in Gujarat, taking the toll in the state this month to 37. "Six persons died today -- three in Kutch region and one each in Ahmedabad, Surat and Anand. The total number of deaths in January has reached 37," said health commissioner JP Gupta.

Twenty-five cases of swine flu infection were reported on Saturday, taking the total to 267 this month.

Kutch district is the worst-affected with eleven deaths including the deaths of three women on Saturday. The district health department said 114 cases of H1N1 virus infection were reported this month.

"Kutch is an endemic zone for H1N1 virus. In 2010 and 2013 we had received a large number of cases from this region. In 2010 we had reported 50 deaths in Kutch," Gupta said. "It is likely due to the atmospheric conditions, having both cold and moisture, where swine flu virus thrives," added Gupta.