Chennai, Aug 24 - Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Monday instructed the state health department to set up swine flu monitoring centres at pilgrimage places like Thiruvanamalai and Velankani where a large number of people congregate.

Reviewing the steps taken to curb the spread of swine flu in the state, the chief minister instructed the health department to tighten screening of passengers arriving from overseas at the air and sea ports.

In the past three months, 7,516 people were tested for swine flu in Tamil Nadu, of whom 205 were found positive.

According to health department officials, currently 54 people are being treated in hospitals while the rest have been treated and discharged.