Swine flu claims 20 lives in Himachal Pradesh

Swine flu, which has led to the death of more than 1,500 people in India in 2015, has claimed 20 lives in Himachal Pradesh.

The first death due to swine flu in the state was reported on February 15 when a 37-year-old man succumbed to the deadly virus at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital.

"Swine flu has affected Himachal Pradesh too. Till date 220 people have been tested for swine flu out of which 79 tested positive. Out of these 79 samples 20 people have died till Monday morning," state Health Minister, Kaul Singh Thakur, said.

Thakur added that there was no shortage of medicines in the state and that the only way to contain the spread of swine flu was to generate awareness about it among the people.

"We have printed millions of posters which explain the difference between the symptoms of common flu and swine flu. Simultaneously the doctors and officials at the block level and doctors in primary health centres are carrying out sensitization drives across panchayats and in schools so that children can further spread awareness among their families. The awareness drive is being carried out intensively across the state," said Thakur.

The maximum number of deaths has been reported from Shimla, where seven people died of the disease. In wake of the growing need, the central government is procuring diagnostic kits to test for the virus, masks and anti-viral drug Oseltamivir. 

Read: 5 ways to protect yourself against Swine Flu