Don't panic, India fully prepared to handle swine flu pandemic: Azad

With swine flu being declared a pandemic, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said today that there was no need for panic as all precautions have been taken to ensure that the disease does not spread in the country.

With swine flu being declared a pandemic, the Government on Friday said there was no need for panic as all precautions have been taken to ensure that the disease does not spread in the country.

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Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the number of persons infected in the country is "too less and too small" compared to its size and population.

"I don't think there is any need for panic. So far our country is concerned...in view of the size and population of the country, the number of persons infected is too less and too small," he said.

The Minister, however, said it could not be a reason for not taking any precaution.

His comments came a day after the World Health Organisation declared the disease as a pandemic, raising its alert to maximum 'level six' as more swine flu cases were reported from across the world, including India.

In India, two more persons in Delhi and one in Goa tested positive for swine flu on Thursday, taking the total number of such cases to 15.

"As a matter of fact we have already started taking action on this right from day one and a number of precautions have been already taken," Azad said.

On a request from the Health Ministry, the Government has already asked its Missions in countries affected by swine flu to urgently get in touch with the host governments to ensure screening of outbound passengers.