Two more deaths take India’s swine flu toll to 465 (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - Two more swine flu deaths were reported in India Friday, taking the total toll in the country due to Influenza A (H1N1) virus to 465, health authorities said here.

Also, 62 new cases were reported in the country, taking the total number of people affected with the flu to 13,784.

Among those tested positive for the contagious flu Friday is Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who returned to the state Wednesday from a visit to Russia.

He has been quarantined for a week and officials, businessmen and others who have interacted with him recently have been advised medical caution.

The 60-year-old Modi’s sample was found positive at the government civil hospital in Ahmedabad, doctor Atul Patel said.

The chief minister, who returned from his four-day visit, had worked through Thursday, attending his official engagements despite feeling tired and coughing frequently.

But on Friday, the doctors confirmed that he has contracted the H1N1 virus. Modi has a team of doctors attending on him at his official residence and all his appointments have been cancelled.

Gujarat has so far seen 40 swine flu deaths and over 270 cases.

On Friday, one person died of the flu in the state, authorities said here.

One death was also reported from Andhra Pradesh. With this, the total toll in the southern state has touched seven.

Till date, samples from 72,838 people have been tested for Influenza A (H1N1) in government laboratories and a few private Laboratories across the country and 13,784 of them have been found positive, said a statement issued here.

Of the 62 new cases, 21 were from Kerala alone.

Maharashtra continues to report new cases. On Friday, 12 new cases were reported, taking the total number of people affected with the virus to 3,636 - the highest in the country.

In the state, 197 people have succumbed to swine flu so far. It is the highest in the country.

New cases were also reported from Delhi where three people were tested positive for the flu. With this, the total cases went up to 3,426, while 16 people have died so far in the Indian capital.

New cases were also reported from Karnataka (15), Tamil Nadu (7), Andhra Pradesh (2) and Rajasthan (1).