Playing down the increased detection of swine flu cases in the State, Assam Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma said the State had "enough medicines to take care of the disease." At least 100 Tamiflu tablets and several N95 masks have been despatched to every district while senior doctors will be trained from today. Authorities convened a high-level meeting to issue directives to relevant officials regarding precautionary measures that are to be taken. "Assam and the North Eastern region have less cause for worry as the region is not connected with any direct international flight, the main carrier of the deadly virus. But, we are not taking any chance," he added.
 
"We have already alerted all our pig farm managers and district officials to report immediately if any influenza-like symptoms are found among the pigs. It should be immediately treated. They have been asked to keep a general surveillance on the pig population of the area," said Shyamlal Mewara, Principal Secretary, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department.

Pork forms the staple diet of most people of the North East, particularly Assam. Pork delicacies are customary among many tribes in the State, particularly on religious and auspicious occasions. The governments of other States - Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur - have also sounded an alert.