INDORE: Swine flu is turning into an epidemic as it has claimed around 40 lives since January and around 15 people have died in just last 72 hours. Despite this there are only around 24 well-equipped beds and just seven ventilators and life support systems to treat patients of H1N1 virus.

State government is, however, waiting for temperatures to rise, which, it maintains, will neutralise the effect of virus.

State government in its affidavit submitted before Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court on Thursday mentioned that swine flu is prominent during winter and as the season will change and temperature will increase, the effect of virus will be weakened.

Continuing to be in denial mode, government instead went on to blame media in its affidavit mentioning that media reports are exaggerating the incidents of swine flu and writing without proper data. Government claims that symptoms of common cold and swine flu are similar in nature and people often get mistaken.

Apparently shielding the doctors and health department, government mentioned that doctors cannot be said to be lethargic as they are making their sincere efforts to save life of patients.