Jaipur: A total of 141 persons, including two students of the Sawai Man Singh Medical College, have tested positive for HINI virus in Rajasthan, since December 1 and 14 of them have died, an official said on Thursday.
Public Health Department Director Dr V.K. Mathur confirmed that two medicos and a computer operator of Mahila Chikitsalaya had tested positive for the virus on Thursday.
The two medicos were staying in the medical hospital’s hostel that houses around 450 students.
“We sent a medical team immediately and screened these students. Medicines were also given to around 24 students who showed influenza symptoms,” the official told the media here.
The official said 3,344 persons were diagnosed as suffering from swine flu between January 1 and December 20, of which 259 had died.
He said seven newly-appointed Rajasthan Administrative Service officers undergoing training at the Officers Training School here had tested positive on Wednesday, following which the institute was evacuated.
Mathur said HINI cases in the state were on the rise though the situation was not that alarming as all precautions were taken to check its spread.
Mathur said isolation of patients was sacrosanct and those exhibiting influenza-like symptoms should isolate themselves to ensure others were not infected.
Health Minister Kali Charan Saraf said all steps were taken to review diagnosis facilities for swine flu patients and to ensure availability of Tamiflu medicine across the state. He has also directed doctors and officials to remain alert.
The state has been witnessing a rise in swine flu cases and the situation has worsened owing to strike of doctors in Rajasthan.
—IANS