Swab samples for swine flu tests must be collected from patients having more than 100.4-degree fever, severe sore throat and a runny nose, say the BMC’s latest guidelines on checking the spread of H1N1 virus in the city, which has seen 62 cases till July 24. The experience of private doctors suggests the city has many more swine flu cases. 

The civic corporation on Friday came out with protocols for the collection of samples and treatment based on health conditions and the risks involved for an individual. While most swine flu patients have mild symptoms, the BMC has asked all civic-run and private hospitals, BMC dispensaries and private practitioners to follow the testing and treatment protocol.