New Delhi, Aug 9 - After a 43-year-old NRI died of swine flu in Ahmedabad Sunday, authorities in Gujarat are worried that the state could see a spurt in Influenza A(H1N1) cases as the NRI homecoming season is set to begin, Health Minister Jay Narayan Vyas said Sunday.

'Gujaratis are a foot-loose community. They love travelling. A lot of Gujarati NRIs return home for vacation during this time. This may increase the swine flu cases in the state. It's a matter of concern but we are fully prepared to handle any situation,' Vyas told IANS over telephone from Ahmedabad.

'Soon thousands of our people will return to meet families and friends back here. People from here too go out. We are a globalised community, but there is nothing to worry... We are prepared and all infrastructure is in place to tackle the problem,' he said.

The minister's comments came after 43-year-old Pravin Patel, who flew in from the US July 31, succumbed to Influenza A (H1NI) Sunday, becoming India's fourth swine flu victim. While Pune has reported two deaths, Mumbai has reported one death. A total of 783 people across the country have been infected with the contagious virus as of Saturday night.

Patel's wife too has tested positive for swine flu and she is in critical condition at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. So far 13 people have been infected with swine flu in Gujarat, of whom eight have a travel history.

Elaborating on Patel's death, Vyas said: 'The patient had earlier complications as well.