Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], Nov 16 (ANI): The occurrence of swine flu is gaining momentum as two more people have lost their lives in Hyderabad's Gandhi Hospital, thus taking the death toll to nine.

"9 people out of the 43 who tested positive for swine flu have died so far. People between 45 - 65 years of age are affected more in the state. At present, 6 people who tested positive for swine flu have been admitted at Gandhi hospital, while 6 more are suspected to have swine flu," Shravan Kumar, Superintendent of Gandhi Hospital, told ANI.

Kumar further said a disaster ward has been arranged specially for swine flu cases, comprising 20 beds and 10 ventilators reserved for swine flu patients. Pharmacology department doctors are taking care of swine flu patients in Gandhi Hospital, he added.

In the wake of the sudden rise in swine flu cases in the city, doctors have advised locals to carry face masks and maintain hygiene. Individuals have also been advised to maintain some distance while in proximity to patients.

Swine flu is an infection caused by one of the several Swine Influenza Viruses (SIV), with the H1N1 strain being the most common across the country, particularly in Telangana.

The H1N1 virus spreads when an individual touched an infected or breathes droplets of coughs and sneezes that are in the air.

The symptoms are the same as the seasonal flu, also known as the viral fever. This includes cough, sore throat, and body ache. (ANI)

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