India struggles with deadly swine flu outbreak
Indian health
officials are struggling to contain a swine flu outbreak that has killed more
than 700 people since it took hold in mid-December.
The number of cases has doubled since last
week to more than 11,000.
Critics have accused the government of failing
to distribute medicines, but officials insisted the situation was under
control.
This year's outbreak of the H1N1 virus, which
causes swine flu, is the deadliest in India since 2010.
The northern state of Rajasthan has been worst
affected.
Health authorities across India have launched
TV and radio campaigns to tell people about precautions they can take to avoid
the flu.
Health Minister JP Nadda attempted to rebuff
reports of drug shortages.
"If any medicine store refuses to give
medicines after showing a medical prescription, it should be reported to the
authorities and action will be taken," he said.
He said there was no need to panic, and
insisted the government was monitoring the situation closely.
Experts investigating the cause of the outbreak
say low winter temperatures are to blame.
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