'These masks are normally used for surgical procedures, so we weren't prepared for the sudden panic buying in the capital. The N95 masks are not available. We have asked manufacturers for more but don't think we will get the stock anytime soon,' Ajay Palgupta, the association's vice president, told IANS.

The demand for Vitamin C tablets has shot up too.

'Since it has been advised to take Vitamin C to boost immunity against flu, even the demand for Vitamin C has shot up. While there is very little stock available in the market now, we should be able to meet the demand by Aug 16,' Palgupta said.

India has reported 960 cases of Influenza A (H1N1) and 10 people have died of it so far.

The owner of Aashirwad Chemist in south Delhi's Greater Kailash said: 'Ever since the first swine flu death on Aug 3, the demand for masks has just zoomed. We keep advising people not to panic, but when they don't budge we give them the disposable ones.'

The N95 mask was recommended by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organisation (WHO) as the minimum respiratory protection required from the bird flu virus back in 2003.