Patna, Aug 19 - A man suspected to be suffering from swine flu was forced to leave his village in Bihar along with his family as villagers feared the disease would spread from him, official sources said Wednesday.

The man in his late 20s along with his family left Ghatav village in Kaimur district, 150 km from here, Tuesday after news spread that he may have the H1N1 infection.

'After his family members disclosed to some villagers that a doctor told them their son was suffering from swine flu and needed treatment, there was panic in the village and they were forced to leave the village,' a police official said.

The man had returned to his village from Nashik in Maharashtra last week. He reportedly left Nashik after suffering with high fever and a cold.

Sources in the village told IANS over phone that the family had Tuesday left for Varanasi for treatment.