Food minister tests positive for swine flu

State food and civil supplies minister Hem Singh Bhadana tested positive for swine flu and is undergoing treatment at his residence. Earlier, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, home minister Gulab Chand Kataria and MLA from Sursagar assembly constituency Suryakanta Vyas too had acquired the flu but they had recovered.

State food and civil supplies minister Hem Singh Bhadana tested positive for swine flu and is undergoing treatment at his residence. Earlier, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, home minister Gulab Chand Kataria and MLA from Sursagar assembly constituency Suryakanta Vyas too had acquired the flu but they had recovered.

With three fresh deaths reported from Ajmer, the toll crossed 346 till Tuesday since January 1 across the state.

The deceased have been identified as BK Sharma (82) of Hathi Bhata area, Uma Devi (42) of Nasirabad and Renu (25) of Pushkar.

They were undergoing treatment at the isolation ward of Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital in Ajmer.

“So far, 301 people have tested positive in the district out of which 38 have died due to the flu,” said Dr Lal Thadani, deputy chief medical and health officer of Ajmer adding, “We are taking all steps to contain the disease.”

Chairman of the state level task force, Dr Ashok Panagariya, while reviewing the swine flu situation in the state on Tuesday directed doctors to immediately start investigation and treatment on detecting swine flu-like symptoms in high risk group especially pregnant women.

SMS Medical College principal and controller Dr US Agarwal said that 12 people who were admitted for swine flu treatment were discharged on Monday.

At present 11 patients are admitted in observation ward, 16 in isolation ward and 22 patients admitted in ICU.