Two die of swine flu, 11 new cases surface

The number of swine flu cases in the country has started going down significantly with the onset of winter, health ministry sources said on Tuesday.

The number of swine flu cases in the country has started going down significantly with the onset of winter, health ministry sources said on Tuesday.

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Only two deaths and 11 cases were reported between November 22 and 28, the sources added. The H1N1 flu, which has claimed nearly 1,236 lives this year, was at its peak during the monsoon. The H1N1 virus which causes the flu needs moisture and heat to grow.

With a drop in temperatures across the country, the number of cases has gone down significantly. Only two deaths were reported during November 22-28, one each from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the ministry said.

Of the 11 cases reported during the period, five were from Rajasthan, three from Maharashtra, two from Tamil Nadu and one from Haryana.

Around 1,489 flu cases were reported during 2009, the year in which it was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Around 2,725 lives have been lost in the country to the flu since 2009.