By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 6, 2017: The swine flu cases in Odisha are on the rise forcing the state government to direct government as well as privately-run hospitals to keep special ward ready to treat persons affected with the H1N1 virus.

One person was reported dead in Swine Flu on Saturday. In 2015, 13 persons had died of the virus.

Meanwhile, officials said, the persons suffering in Swine Flu cases have gone up to 34 in the state.

Besides the government run hospitals, the Public Health department has issued special advisory to 15 privately-run hospitals asking them to set up separate screening facility or isolation wards with ventilator support for H1N1 cases. The facility should be manned by trained staff with proper infection control precaution, the directive added.

The department also asked the hospitals to submit details and status of patients admitted and undergoing treatment on a daily basis.

Of those tested positive, currently, seven are undergoing treatment in Bhubaneswar, four in Koraput and two in Sundergarh.

However, the number of affected persons is on decline at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar as many have left after undergoing treatment.

Over 12,500 patients have tested positive for H1N1 virus across the country, over the years.