India has reported 558 swine flu cases, of which 470 have been discharged from hospitals.

With experts and doctors warning that the monsoon and winter months could mean more cases of the flu, the health ministry issued fresh guidelines. Patients who exhibit H1N1 symptoms have to report to government hospitals but would be allowed home quarantine if the case warranted.

Issuing the revised guidelines, Vineet Chawdhry, joint secretary in the central health ministry, 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 in New Delhi.

He said the revised guidelines followed fears that people would be kept in isolation wards in hospitals for treatment. He added that home quarantine would be allowed only if government doctors give the go ahead.

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

There is no change in the guidelines meant for passengers arriving at airports with flu like symptom.

The central government plans to call a meeting of major private hospitals and medical practitioners to sensitise them about swine flu.

Joint secretary Chawdhry denied any action was being contemplated against the Jehangir Hospital by the central government.

'Health is a state matter and it is the state government that can decide the course of action.

'The Maharashtra government has invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act making it mandatory for people suffering from swine flu to be admitted in designated government facility. The government will share details about the incident with us in next few days,' he said.