India-controlled Kashmir struggles with deadly swine flu outbreak, as death toll reaches six

The health department in Indian-controlled Kashmir is struggling to contain the outbreak of swine flu, which so far has led to death of six people including a senior police officer in the region, health officials said Saturday.

The number of people tested positive of the virus meanwhile has gone up to 99 including some doctors and paramedics at hospitals.

"As of now six deaths have been recorded and number of cases tested positive has risen to 99," a health department official said. "The patients are being given treatment."

The deadly H1N1 virus which causes swine flu has created a panic in the region. Doctors at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), the region's premier health institute have appealed people not to panic and adhere to precautions circulated by health department.

However, the Director SKIMS Dr. Showkat Zargar Wednesday cautioned they do not have enough facilities to counter the outbreak at an alarming pace.

Separatist groups have accused the government of failing to distribute medicines to contain the outbreak of swine flu.

The health department across the region have launched an awareness campaign in newspapers, electronic media to educate people about precautions they need to take to avoid the flu.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus - H1N1. Endi