Within a week's time, the death toll because of swine flu jumped from 13 to 17 in Maharashtra. The state also saw an increase in the number of patients admitted to hospitals after being detected with the disease. As per the information, of those admitted, 10 patients are on ventilators, at medical facilities in Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Thane and Solapur. The state government said that it would increase awareness about the flu through public drives, and enhance it outreach to diagnose, treat and vaccinate people to avoid the spread of the flu. Officials said that change in the weather had also led to an increase in the number of patients. Since January, the total number of patients admitted to hospitals stands at 145. After 3.50 lakh patients were examined, around 4,000 patients were given tammy flu tablets as early medication. Eknath Shinde, state's health minister, said, "To prevent the occurrence of swine flu, the government has embarked upon a five-point strategy — survey, diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, and public awareness. In order to create mass awareness, various media, group meetings, workshops, awareness campaigns at school level, yatras, festivals, health education at weekly markets are being held. Directives to health officials of the department, municipal corporations, and zilla parishad authorities have been issued. Sufficient stock of tammy flu tablets is available." The government aims to target fairs and festivals to reach out to the masses. "Citizens will be informed regarding the spread of this disease, its symptoms, the preventive measures one can take, and steps to arrest its spread among the common people. In rural areas, meetings of village health cleanliness committees and nutrition committees, and in urban areas, meetings of women health committee will be organised to generate awareness and convey the preventive message in the society" the health minister added. BETTER SAFE...

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