Swine Flu: Early treatment can lead to cure in 5 days: Min

Rattled state invokes Epidemic Act A DAY AFTER INDIA'S FIRST SWINE FLU DEATH, GOVT PREDICTS 10-FOLD RISE IN CASES, BUT CAUTIONS AGAINST PANIC  Mumbai: A day after the death of a 14-yearold schoolgirl of swine flu in neighbouring Pune, the Maharashtra government has invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, in Pune and Satara districts to empower collectors to take stringent action to prevent the spread of the disease. The state is, however, not the first to enforce the tough legislation: it has been in force in Delhi for over a month now.      However, state officials insist that there is no need to press the panic button yet. A tally of 157 positive cases of swine flu and one death, they say, is not alarming when compared to the global pandemic situation.      While CM Ashok Chavan exhorted the people not to panic, health minister Rajendra Shingne said, "It is wrong to assume that one will die of the disease. If a patient is given proper treatment at the initial state itself, s/he can be cured within five days.''  FLU TESTS IN MUMBAI      People with swine flu symptoms can call up Kasturba Hospital on 23083901/2 or walk into the hospital. Sample will be sent to NIV in Pune for a diagnosis. Samples will also be tested at Haffkine, Parel, soon