Health officials are on their toes, following the spread of H1N1 (swine flu) and dengue, which are fast spreading across the district and also the neighbouring districts for the last few days.

While 13 patients are undergoing treatment for dengue, 10 are being treated for swine flu in the special wards in the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital in the last two weeks, department sources said.

Swine flu has claimed five lives, including one yesterday – a 58 year old man Gopal from Nilgiris district.

Last week, a one-year-old boy from Salem and three others, including two women, died of H1N1 virus in the Government Hospital.

After two deaths – one in April and another in September – a 10-month-old male baby last year, no dengue casualties was reported.

Considering the increase in the number of patients, the department authorities are organising awareness campaign to prevent the spread of the disease.