Five more cases of the Swine flu have been reported by the health department in Dehradun, taking the number of people afflicted by the dreaded disease this season to 15.

The chief medical officer (CMO) of Dehradun, Dr S K Gupta told The Pioneer on Thursday that swab samples of three patients admitted in Synergy Hospital have been found positive for the disease on the day.

Similarly, two new patients have been reported from Max Hospital while one case has been reported from Indiresh Hospital on the day, he added. He further said that seven patients have so far died in Dehradun from Swine flu.

Dr Gupta said that four patients of the diseases are now undergoing treatment at Synergy Hospital while three are admitted at Max Hospital and one patient is at present admitted at Indiresh hospital.

The CMO   said that all medical professionals have been asked to keep track of the suspected cases of the disease and inform them to the district health department promptly.

He added that all the hospitals have adequate supply of Tami flu (medicine of swine flu) and triple layer masks.

The CMO said that since the disease spreads by droplet infection the people should cover their nose and face with handkerchief while sneezing or coughing. This aside, they should regularly wash hands and face,  Dr Gupta said and added that one should immediately consult a doctor in case of consistent fever and breathlessness.Meanwhile, a training programme was organised at state health directorate on Thursday in which the officials associated with Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme ( IDSP) , epidemiologists and microbiologists  from all districts participated. Addressing the programme, the director health, Dr R K Pandey said that isolation wards in the hospitals should be earmarked and the medicines should be made available in the districts. He further said that awareness campaign should be launched in the districts during which the people should be informed of the preventive measures they should take to keep the disease at bay. The training was given by state nodal officer, IDSP Dr Pankaj Singh.