Swine flu claims 7 more in Gujarat; toll climbs to 78

Swine flu's deadly march in Gujarat continued with seven more persons succumbing to the virus, taking the toll to 78, health department officials said today.

The fatalities were reported since yesterday, they said, adding 14 new cases of the viral disease came to light in the last two days.

Four of those dead — Bhuraji Thakor (45), Mahesh Patel (25), Ankita Vinubhai (22) and Jagdish Patel 58 — were reported today from Ahmedabad (2), Surat and Rajkot.

The others identified as Hussina Kadiwala (26-Ahmedabad), Paresh Mavani (30-Rajkot) and Karan Singh (49-Ahmedabad), died yesterday. Karan Singh hailed from neighbouring Rajasthan, the officials said.

The 14 persons who tested positive for H1N1 today have been admitted in hospitals in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and Palanpur.

Till now, 494 positive cases of the disease have been reported from the state.

Of the total deaths, 71 were from Gujarat, and the others from Rajasthan from where the infected persons were brought for treatment.