This was the second death reported in Gujarat on account of the swine flu. The first victim was NRI Pravin Patel, who came from Atlanta in the US and who died Sunday.

After the death of two people in Gujarat, Chief Minister Narendra Modi called an all-party meeting Wednesday to discuss measures to prevent the disease.

Pune tops the list of casualties with five deaths followed by Mumbai (two) and one each in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Vadodara.

A total of 333 people have been affected by the virus in Maharashtra with Pune notching 221, Mumbai (81) and Satara (31).

As more swine flu cases poured in, the Haj Committee advised the elderly, children and pregnant woman to avoid going for the Haj pilgrimage.

Hasan Ahmad, acting chairperson of the Haj Committee of India, said that pilgrims above the age of 65, those younger than 12 years and the pregnant should avoid the pilgrimage this year.

Saudi Arabia has issued similar instructions.

In New Delhi, Azad underlined the guidelines to help private labs and hospitals carry out tests and treat suspected patients.

The government had earlier insisted that all patients have to be tested and treated only in state-run hospitals but the enormity of the crisis has forced a change of mind.

Swine flu cast a shadow over the World Badminton Championship in Hyderabad, with the doubles coach of the Malaysian team showing symptoms of the viral disease.

Jeremy Gan has been quarantined at the Andhra Pradesh Chest Hospital, and his samples have been sent for testing, organisers of the event said.

With swine flu spreading panic, face masks are flying off the shelf at pharmacy shops in the national capital. Chemists say they are not getting fresh supplies as it is being diverted to Pune.

The Chandigarh administration has decided to use the services of private hospitals to tackle swine flu.