Eight more persons succumbed to swine flu across the country on Tuesday, taking the toll from the disease to 201 as 229 fresh cases were reported in the day. Of the eight deaths, two were reported from Delhi, bringing the total number of deaths in the national capital to 10. The other deaths were reported from Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Delhi reported the highest of 61 cases followed by Tamil Nadu 50, Karnataka 22 and Haryana 31. The total number of those afflicted by the disease today reached 6,588.
India's swine flu vaccine likely by March '10
The Indian vaccine against the pandemic strain of swine flu would be commercially available by March next with the authorities planning to fast-track the clinical trials in humans in accordance with international protocols.
Centre taps MNCs for swine flu vaccine as toll crosses 200
The Centre is looking to build its stockpile of vaccines to deal with influenza A (HINI) or swine flu, as the death toll crosses 200 in the country.
Multinational drug-makers such as Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Aventis have been asked to undertake late stage phase III trials to be able to supply their respective swine flu vaccines locally, a senior official with the Union Health Ministry said.
Free insurance cover for docs tackling H1N1
Some relief for doctors treating H1N1 patients in Pune, the city that has faced the brunt of the virus attack. An insurance company is now offering them a life cover. Pune-based insurance company, Bajaj Allianz has offered staff at the Naidu hospital, the Sassoon hospital's critical care ward and the National Institute of Virology, free life insurance cover.
