Swine flu affected toll rises to 17 as two more tested positive in Hyderabad

The number of swine flu affected people in the country risen to 17 after two more people were tested positive in Hyderabad.

A six-year-old girl from Hyderabad and her one-and-a-half-year-old brother, who recently arrived from New York, have been tested positive at NIV, Pune. 

However, nine of the 17 cases of Influenza A [H1N1] reported so far in India have been discharged. Others are stable and admitted to the identified health facility.

Besides, Indian scientists are likely to develop a vaccine for the dreaded swine flu within the next four to six months. The Health Ministry has identified the Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech and Panacea Biotech, to work on the vaccine.

On Friday, a request was sent to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the seed of the virus.

Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has asked people not to panic.