Swine flu toll in Uttar Pradesh touches 14

Lucknow, March 4 (IANS) With the death of a contract worker at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), the toll due to the H1N1 virus rose to 14 in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, officials said.

The 35-year-old was working at the premier medical facility on a contractual basis and had become infected a few days back, officials said.

With this, the number of people who have died due to swine flu here has risen to 8. Since Tuesday, 35 more cases of H1N1 infections have also been reported from across the state capital.

Government-run medical facilities have reported an acute paucity of ventilators as well. Chief medical Officer S.N. Yadav said the total number suspected swine flu cases in the state capital has touched 549.

Meanwhile, rapid response teams have begun counselling people at many places and educating them about the precautions to be taken to prevent further spread of the disease that has already spread to more than 20 districts of the state.

More than 150 people have submitted swab samples for swine flu at King George's Medical College, Balrampur hospital, SGPGI and Lohia hospital since Tuesday, officials said.

Of the new cases reported, seven are children and four are senior citizens.