New Delhi, Aug 4 - Keen to prevent a repeat of the Pune incident where a 14-year-old girl succumbed to swine flu due to 'delayed treatment', the government Tuesday said all those who exhibit H1N1 symptoms have to report to government hospitals, but would be allowed home quarantine if the case warrants.

Issuing the revised guidelines on how to tackle swine flu, Joint Secretary Vineet Chawdhry said 'clinical assessment' would be carried out on patients only at identified government hospitals.

'We want to address the apprehension and concerns of the people and don't want a repeat (of the Pune incident),' he told reporters.

He said the revised guidelines were also issued following apprehension by people that they would be kept in isolation wards in hospitals for treatment. However, he said that home quarantine would be allowed only if the government doctor permits.

Chawdhry said that with seasonal flu setting in, more people are reporting sick with swine flu-like symptoms. The clinical assessment would make it clear whether the person was affected with H1N1 or not.

Any person showing flu-like symptoms of cough, sore throat, fever and running nose would be required to go to a designated government facility for clinical examination, he said.

'After the clinical assessment, the designated medical officer would decide about the medication. Except for serious cases, the person would be allowed to go home,' he told reporters.

He said the doctors would also take a call on whether the patient needs to be tested for H1N1 at all.

Chawdhry said if the flu strain is mild, the patient could be given an option to go home or get admitted in the isolation ward.

'In case the patient decides for home isolation and treatment, he or she would be provided with detailed guidelines to be followed by the entire household.