Meanwhile, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad noted that swine flu is here to stay and will spread despite best efforts, but the country is controlling it by early detection, proper treatment and creating mass awareness.

He said authorities have 'learnt some lessons' while tackling the spread of the disease that has become a global pandemic.

'The key to control its spread is early detection, complete treatment of confirmed cases and communicating with public at large to create awareness,' Azad said at the 27th meeting of Health Ministers of World Health Organisation (WHOs) South East-Asia region and the 62nd Regional Committee Session of the WHO South-East Asia Region in Kathmandu.

'The virus is here to stay and will spread despite our best efforts to prevent its spread,' the minister said, according to a statement issued here.

Azad said India focussed on contact tracing of suspect patients and also early diagnosis and treatment.

The minister said they enhanced the laboratory testing capacity and formed rapid response teams of doctors drawn from national, state and district levels.

'The number of labs equipped to test for the influenza-A (H1N1) disease was increased from two to 41 in the public and private sectors within a short span of time,' he said, adding that doctors and paramedical staff were trained to build diagnosis and treatment capacity.

'India is taking adequate measures to enhance core capabilities at all levels to contain the spread of infectious diseases through border and community surveillance, early warning and detection systems, enhancing hospital preparedness to provide better healthcare facilities and stockpiling of anti-virals and personal protective equipment,' he said in his address to the health ministers from the region and top WHO officials.

Azad offered India's help to countries in the region by 'cooperating' with them in dealing with the pandemic.