It has cancelled leaves of doctors working in health, medical education and gas relief departments.

An official release said a meeting chaired by state Health Secretary S.R. Mohanty decided to shortlist 16 private hospitals in six districts for swine flu treatment, and to open control rooms in medical colleges and offices of the chief medical officers, health officers and divisional joint directors.

It was also decided that samples of suspected swine flu patients be sent to Pune and New Delhi for testing, and the authorities concerned have been directed to send samples to the designated laboratories within 48 hours of collection.