The swine flu scare

The World Health Organization (WHO) first reported the outbreak of an "influenza-like illness in the United States and Mexico" on April 24. It wasn't long before swine flu - what public health officials later called 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) - was dominating headlines around the globe. It speared to other parts of the World including India, claiming many lives.

The Government of India ordered officials at all airports to check papers of the passengers for Swine flu, which was declared a global epidemic by WHO. (NDTV)

A medical technician comes out of the isolation room after collecting samples from suspected patients of H1N1 flu admitted to the Government Chest Hospital in Hyderabad. (AFP)

A medical technician checks samples collected from suspected H1N1 flu patients admitted to the Government Chest Hospital in Hyderabad. (AFP)

Medical technician places an icepack inside a thermocol box for samples collected from suspected patients of H1N1 flu admitted to the Government Chest Hospital in Hyderabad. (AFP)

Pakistani children queue up for a medical check as Indian doctors check for symptoms of swine flu on their arrival at the international Attari Railway station, about 35 kms from Amritsar. The government sounded a high alert for swine flu at all international entry and exit points. (AFP)

Pedestrians walk wearing masks outside the Government Chest Hospital in Hyderabad. Patients with suspected cases of swine flu, which were detected at the hospital, were quarantined and kept under observation. Their nasal and throat swabs were sent to National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in New Delhi. (AFP)

A patient, along with a doctor, addresses a press conference after being successfully treated for the H1N1 flu virus at the Government Chest Hospital in Hyderabad. (AFP)

The Ministry directed people to follow simple steps like maintaining personal hygiene and infection control practices like wearing masks can prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza.