Agitation in Guj Assembly over increase in swine flu cases

Gandhinagar, March 14: The rising number of cases of swine flu was an issue of debate in the

Assembly. The opposition tried to move an adjournment motion on the issue on Thursday.

"Every day atleast five persons are dying because of swine flu and it has spread across the state. This House should discuss the urgent steps needed to contain the spread, considering its sensitivity," Congress chief whip Balvantsinh Rajput said after the Question Hour.

However, Speaker Vajubhai Vala rejected their demand saying that the Assembly had already discussed the issue on February 21.

"This House has already discussed the issue and the minister concerned has replied in detail about the steps taken by the government and how it planned to control the spread of swine flu," Vala said.

In Gujarat, there are over 100 who have been infected this year while 103 deaths have been reported. They have had one of the highest swine- flu deaths in the country. Topping the list is Rajasthan which has had around 124 casualities. Incidentally, more women have been affected than men.

According to media reports, Gujarat has reported 2,874 swine flu positive cases since its outbreak in 2009. In India, Maharashtra has reported 13,107 cases till date, which is the highest, followed by Delhi with 12,383 positive cases, while Gujarat ranks fifth.

OneIndia News (With inputs from PTI)