New Delhi, Aug 13 - Information and broadcasting ministry officials have cautioned TV channels not to create panic about the H1N1 influenza that is rapidly spreading across India.

'We have conveyed our concerns to leading media organisations, including TV channels. We have no issue with creating awareness, but we have told them not to create panic about swine flu,' an official of the information and broadcasting ministry told IANS.

'There is no advisory as such. We have informally conveyed our message,' the official said.

The officials of the ministry have conveyed to the News Broadcasting Association, an industry group of news channels, the need to observe restraint in reporting about swine flu.

Twenty people have died of swine flu in India so far, with the maximum number of 12 casualties reported from Pune in Maharastra.