Indian state sees rising trend in swine flu cases

MUMBAI, July 22 (Xinhua) -- India's western state of Maharashtra has seen a rising trend in swine flu infection with seven deaths and 142 cases reported so far this year, officials said on Friday.

Of the seven deaths, three were reported in Kolhapur and two each in Pune and Thane districts.

Mumbai, the country's financial hub, has recorded 43 cases of infection, followed by Pune district with 23, officials said.

"We are taking appropriate action to enhance surveillance. Prevention and control measures are being implemented," said Maharashtra state surveillance officer Pradeep Awate.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by the H1N1 virus. It affects the respiratory tracts of humans with the potential for human-to-human transmission.

Two other Indian states of Uttar Pradesh in the north and Kerala in the south have also reported swine flu cases.