New Delhi, Aug 10 - The Indian armed forces have taken steps to check the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) into its ranks and identified 50 hospitals around the country for personnel showing swine flu-like symptoms, an official said Monday.

'Thirty-nine hospitals have been identified across the country for the Indian Army, and 11 for the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force,' said a senior army official, requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

The official said 10 soldiers were suspected with the virus but they have tested negative.

One of the problems facing the armed forces is the lack of swine flu testing kits.

'We do not have swine flu testing kits, and efforts are on to procure them from the government hospitals,' the official added.

Two laboratories, one for north and one for south, have been identified by the armed forces for testing.