New Delhi, Aug 21 - Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Trivedi Friday said West Bengal is not ready to tackle the spread of swine flu and remarked that the state's hospitals have 'more rats and dogs than doctors'.

'There are more rats and dogs in West Bengal hospitals than doctors. The state is not ready to tackle the spread of swine flu virus,' Trivedi, a Trinamool Congress MP, told IANS on the sidelines of a meeting on National Rural Health Mission in the capital.

'God forbid (spread of swine flu), but I am serious.'

'There is not much facility in the state. I doubt if any private labs are coming forward for testing of swine flu samples. I am sorry, but the state government is not doing its part,' he said.

West Bengal is also facing the outbreak the virus with at least 64 people infected by Influenza A (H1N1) in the state.

He said fortunately the number of cases in the state is not as many as in Maharashtra or Delhi.

'There is mismanagement on the part of state health machinery,' Trivedi said.

When asked if these are political statements against a Left Front government in the state, Trivedi replied in negative.