NEW DELHI: Swine flu has claimed 160 lives in various parts of the country in the first three months of this year, the Centre today said. Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel in a written reply in Lok Sabha said between January 1 to March 26, 160 people died from swine flu, while 6,062 cases were registered.
The highest number of 63 deaths were reported from Maharashtra, while Telangana registered 16 deaths. Last year, between January to December 31, 265 people had died, while 1,786 cases were reported. She said the Health Ministry has reviewed the preparedness of the states and UTs to deal with seasonal outbreak of Influenza A H1N1 and has been proactive in taking a series of actions to mitigate and contain the impact from the disease.
"Advisory has been issued to all states and UTs. The guidelines on risk categorisation, clinical management, home care, use of masks, vaccination etc have been updated and made available on the website of the Ministry," she said. She said stocks of drug Oseltamivir, laboratory reagents and personal protective equipment have been kept with institutions under health ministry to support states and UTs reporting the seasonal influenza