He had viral pneumonia, which is very difficult to treat, his haemoglobin was low at 5.2 (normally it should be above 10). All these peripheral problems added to the complications of swine flu.'

The minister, however, stressed that NRIs are not solely responsible for the spread of the virus.

'You cannot say it is spreading only because of NRIs. It is one of the reasons, but not the reason. We are creating awareness among people and the media is helping us in the effort to contain the disease.'

Asked if the state government had urged NRIs to defer their travel plans, the minister said: 'There is no need of it.'

'We have enough medicine, doctors are ready, screening centres are up-to-date. Earlier we used to send samples to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (now known as National Centre for Disease Control in New Delhi) for testing, but now we have our own sample testing lab at B.J. Medical College.

'This has helped us get the test results in six-eight hours as against 48 hours earlier. We have also prepared 27 swine flu screening centres across the state. Let me make it clear that the state is prepared,' Vyas said.

'We are going to hold a meeting with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) soon on the issue,' he said, adding that he was briefing Chief Minister Narendra Modi about the developments at least twice a day.