Swine flu virus to die as temperatures rise: Goa minister

Panaji, March 21: Goa Health Minister Francis D'Souza said the swine flu virus will die automatically when the mercury will rise in the state with the advent of summer and the situation was under control.

Speaking to IANS on Friday on the sidelines of a book release function at the state secretariat here, he said patients with diabetes or other health complications had died due to the H1N1 viral infection and private hospitals were not up to the mark vis-a-vis prompt administering of swine flu curing medicines.

"Swine flu is curable. As the temperatures go higher, the virus will die. We have kept medication ready. We have kept places for them (patients) in the GMC (Goa Medical College)," he said.

Swine flu has claimed over 1,500 lives so far and officials believe that the virus may die down soon.

IANS