A fresh case of swine flu has been reported in the city, taking the total number of cases to six this year. It was last reported nearly a month ago, when three persons fell sick. According to the health department, a 52-year-old man was tested positive for the deadly virus on December 13. The patient is a resident of DLF phase-4.

"The case has been reported from Medanta - The Medicity," said an official at the department. The number of suspected cases has been put at two.

"There is no peak season for swine flu anymore. It has become a common disease like flu. The H1N1 virus spreads fast and there are high chances of people contracting this highly communicable disease," said the official.

Doctors are surprised at the latest case. "The virus is definitely there, but this is not the time for it to spread or grow. But city's polluted air and the presence of pigs add to the trouble," said Dr SP Yadav of Pushpanjali Hospital.

The first two cases were reported in October this year. Both the victims -- a 63-year-old woman from DLF Phase-1 and a 60-year-old man from Sector 56 - were admitted to Alchemist Hospital. Health department officials believe that the disease has now become a local one.