Swine flu: Low key I-Day for Orissa

The teenager was suffering from a cardiac problem and was being treated for swine flu in the hospital, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Prasanna Acharya.

Of 67 swab samples examined so far,26 tested positive for H1N1 virus.

On Friday,former BJD minister Kalindi Beheras daughter was admitted to a government hospital in Cuttack after she was diagnosed with the virus.

With the High Court asking the state to take all steps to control the spread of swine flu,the mass education department directed all schools to stop I-day celebrations.

The schools have been asked not to hold morning prayers. However,Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said there are no immediate plans to close schools.

Finance Minister Prafulla Ghadai and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Surya Patro on Friday attended office wearing surgical masks.

Meanwhile,health officials have urged people to avoid congested places like cinema halls,crowded shopping malls,mass prayer meets and restaurants.

Health officials and the state government have asked the Centre to issue fresh supplies of vaccine for medical staff as well as the general public.

The availability of anti-flu nasal drops has been poor in Orissa. The lack of adequate swine flu drugs has made people fall back on homeopathy.