Swine flu claimed ten more lives in Gujarat today, taking the total number of deaths due to the H1N1 virus to 108 this year, the state government said.
Four patients died in Bhavnagar, two in Kheda, and one each in Amreli, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, and Surat districts.
Besides, 159 new cases were reported, taking the total number of cases this year to 1,075.
Chief secretary D J Pandian today held a meeting with all the collectors, district development officers (DDOs), municipal commissioners and health officials through video conference and asked them to take all the necessary steps to control the outbreak, a government release said.
Health officials were conducting door-to-door survey to find out unreported swine flu cases, it said. Accordingly, 3,176 medical teams had visited more than 3.84 lakh houses and checked more than 17.5 lakh people so far.
During the drive, 7,012 persons were given on the spot treatment, 28 were given tablets while 31 were referred to hospital after positive symptoms were found.
Looking at the gravity of situation and steady rise in the number of deaths, the state government had cancelled leaves of all the health officials and employees. Those on leave had been asked to report back, it said.
Yesterday, Union Health Minister J P Nadda had held a meeting with state health minister Nitin Patel on the swine flu situation.
