They should do it if they are equipped. We are considering allowing those private laboratories which have the facilities. We are going to accreditise private labs based on their capacity to test H1N1 virus.'

But the patient if found positive will have to go to a designated government facility for treatment, he said.

He cited the example of Ruby hospital in Pune that conducted the test of Reeda Shaikh, the girl who died due to swine flu. The hospital had said she tested negative for swine flu, although the National Institute of Virology confirmed her as positive.

Dayal said they are also worried because the virus attacks young people.

'This virus attacks more people who are younger. Our analyses have shown largest number of patients are in the age group of 10 to 14 years. Our population and people should not panic as India sees more neo-natal deaths,' he added.

He said India has so far reported 615 influenza A cases, of which 129 people are in the age group 10-14, while 117 are in the age group of 20-29 and 100 in the age group of 15-19 years.

'Over the three months time, out of 615 cases, 418 have been sent home, rest are in hospital for treatment. We have far less people affected with the flu as compared to developed country like the UK, the US, Australia, Japan, Thailand and Singapore,' he added.

He said the virus affecting school children obviously worries them as it is a perfect setting for the virus to spread easily to other children.

The secretary said they have told Pune health authorities to ensure that there is no large gathering in front of one health facility and that other government hospitals should also provide testing facility to people.

'The government has also asked states to identify more testing centres,' he said.