A. C. Mishra, director of the National Institute of Virology (NIV), on Saturday said circulation of influenza activity of H1N1 and the seasonal influenza virus was a cause of serious concern.

Making the total number of positive patients to 1,713 in the state on Saturday, five fresh cases tested positive for H1N1 influenza. There has been a steadiness in the number of patients being tested positive for the flu. The toll of H1N1 influenza has gone upto 130 persons in the State.

During Continuing Medical Education (CME) on Pulmonary Pathology held at the Command Hospital on Saturday, Dr Reeta Mani, Associate Professor, Department of Neurovirology, Nimhans, said that there is no significant mutation of H1N1 virus found yet.

Inaugurating the event, Air Marshal P Madhusoodanan, Director General Medical Services, Air Force, said that the worry has not gone away.

The Air Force Command Hospital which is testing samples of suspected H1N1 patients was limited to the defence people only.

A battery operated machine used for testing throat and nasal swabs of suspected H1N1 influenza patients that weighs around one kilogram and costs around Rs one lakh has been released by Bigtec Lab.

Director of Bigtec Lab Chandrashekhar Nair said that the machine, micro PCR, was easier to place and can easily be operated by a doctor. Due to in-built bio-safety lab features the machine is easy to use.