The combined data of 2017 and 2018 show that there have been more than 500 deaths in the desert state due to swine flu in the period. (Photo: Reuters)

The menace of swine flu continues to grip Rajasthan in the new year as well.

So far, 48 deaths have taken place in the first 19 days of the new year in the desert state due to swine flu. Out of these, five deaths occurred on Saturday, January 19, including two in Jodhpur and Udaipur each and one in Barmer district of Rajasthan.

Official data released by the Health Department, available with India Today TV, shows that out of a total sample of 5,061, 1,173 cases have been positive so far this year in Rajasthan.

In the last thirteen months, more than 200 people have died in Rajasthan due to swine flu. Two doctors of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital have also tested positive for swine flu. The government is aware of the gravity of the situation. Several high-level meetings have taken place including those where the chief minister and the health minister have been present. However, as the data shows, the situation continues to remain grim.

The state government has issued a high alert. Leaves of doctors and paramedical staff in the state were cancelled earlier. The Rajasthan government claims that it has made arrangements for medicines required to cure patients of swine flu.

"We want to appeal to the common people that there is no need to be scared of this disease. There is a cure for this, treatment is possible. It is not an incurable disease. But if you do not take advice, show negligence, and then go to the hospital, then the situation for the doctors is also a tad difficult. If you come on time, treatment is possible", Raghu Sharma, Rajasthan health minister, said to India Today TV.

The combined data of 2017 and 2018 show that there have been more than 500 deaths in the desert state due to swine flu in the period.