Swine flu on the rise in Uttar Pradesh: Official

Lucknow, Feb 11 (IANS) Swine flu cases are on the rise in Uttar Pradesh, health officials admitted Wednesday, adding that fresh cases have been reported from the eastern parts of the state.

The flu has so far claimed two lives in the state capital and infected over 70 people, including an infant and an eight-year-old.

Alarmed at the "steady rise" of the disease, health department has now started screening schools on the basis of "potential risks". An advisory has also been issued to schools seeking their "active and vigilant" support.

Schools in cantonment area have specially been alerted as the two fatalities took place in that region of the state capital.

Areas in and around the Sanjay Gandhi Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences have come under the radar of health department as a majority of cases continue to be reported from there.

The latest victim of swine flu is a pathologist working at the SGPGI. The paramedic staff has been confirmed of swine flu along with his 8-year-old daughter. Ten cases have been reported from the PGI campus.

In Ghazipur, a young man succumbed to swine flu late Tuesday, sending alarm bells ringing in the poorvanchal, eastern part of the state.

A case has also been reported from Varanasi, officials said.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Kanpur rural has also confirmed death of a woman due to swine flu. Health officials are alarmed as the victim gave a wrong address in the private clinic. They fear that she could have infected more people and in such a case they need to be identified and isolated.