LUCKNOW: At least 24 more people have tested positive for the swine flu in Uttar Pradesh, taking the number of those infected with deadly H1N1 influenza to 165 in the state, a senior health official said today.
"So far 165 people have tested positive for H1N1 in 15 districts of UP. The number of deaths due to the virus is six so far in the state," he said.
Out of 24 patients who underwent the test yesterday, 18 were diagnosed with the disease in the state capital alone taking the number to 120, which is maximum in the state, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Lucknow Dr SNS Yadav said.
The districts affected by swine flu include Lucknow, Allahabad, Kanpur, Sitapur, Varanasi, Ghaziabad, Bareilly and Hapur.
Three persons including one working in Merchant Navy, a retired Army officer and the wife of a retired jawan have succumbed to the virus in Lucknow.
Besides, one death each was reported in Kanpur, Saharanur and Bareilly districts.
Union Health minister J P Nadda was also in the state where he along with the CM Akhilesh Yadav reviewed the health situations in UP in the wake of rising cases of swine flu.
He assured Yadav all assistance to deal with the disease.
"During the meeting, prevention of swine flu and issues of health and family welfare were discussed. A detailed discussion was held on initiatives to check the spread of H1N1 virus," Nadda later told reporters.
"I have assured him of Centre's all cooperation," he said.
He, later left for Gorakhpur, where he will visit BRD Medical College to reivew situation due to Japanese Encephalitis/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) disease.
Since 2006, AES, which is entro-viral in nature and is caused by unhygienic surroundings and contaminated water, spread in epidemic form in Gorakhpur and its adjoining areas.
The minister will tomorrow visit Siddharthnagar in the state and participate in a sanitation programme there.