H1N1 not in sparing mood, Bollywood affected

So far, more than 850 Indians have tested positive for the influenza H1N1, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad informed, with almost 340 still undergoing treatment at various identified health facilities.

"We need to work a little harder as the rate at which cases are being reported has gone up," he said late Monday.

Tamiflu will not be available in pharmacies
Indian government, while importing heavy supplies of Tamiflu drug and testing kits, has asked private hospitals in the country to help the state-run hospitals cope-up with a surge in people getting themselves tested.

Azad said that the drug Tamiflu is supplied only by the state-run medical facilities and will not be made available in pharmacies. He continued saying that three Indian drug firms are working on H1N1 flu vaccine, which can take another 5-7 months to be available for consumption.

Swine flu taking a toll in India
According to a government co-coordinator, the city of Hyderabad, where world badminton championships are being held, a Malaysian coach was quarantined Tuesday with flu-like symptoms.

Western Maharashtra, which has six of the eight fatalities so far, saw its schools, colleges, malls and cinema halls being shut.

For the World Health Organisation that has given up on trying to keep a count of cases, swine flu is unstoppable. According to Azad, 33 percent of Indians will be affected by the virus in the next two years.

Some experts consider the influenza to be moderate at this point, which can kill only a few but put many in hospitals, sometimes with severe illness.

People are under panic, especially in the state of Maharashtra. Everyday commuters wearing masks and handkerchiefs can be seen everywhere.

To keep the situation under control, the government is taking all kinds of necessary steps. Several pharmacies are also selling swine flu masks and hand sanitisers at various places several times a day at regular price.

Various schools in the country have closed for a week, although Azad made it clear in various news conferences that simply closing the schools will not help contain the virus, if children continued to go to the malls or parties.

"Mere closing of schools is not going to solve the problem. But we've left it to the states to decide," he said.

Celebs not in a mood to take risk
The flu has also disrupted the business of Bollywood, with the shoot for film 'Kurbaan' in Pune being canceled.

"There is no point taking a risk, especially because it is spreading so fast. It's serious, and there's no point taking such a huge crew," says Saif Ali Khan, who stars in the film.