Kathmandu: As the death toll from pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 rises in the country, the number of people visiting National Public Health Laboratory, Teku, for throat swab test is increasing.

More than 1,000 people have already visited NPHL for swab test since January, said Bishnu Prasad Upadhayay, consultant microbiologist at NPHL.“There used to be 10 to 20 people on an average visiting the laboratory each day in the month of June.

However, the number of people visiting NPHL for swab test was about 20 to 25 each day in the month of July. About 30 to 40 people are visiting the laboratory each day in August for the test,” said Upadhayay. “The test is not necessary for all, but people are panicking.

Only those with influenza like symptoms such as fever of 104 degree Fahrenheit or higher and headache followed by respiratory infection should go for throat swab test,” said Dr Anup Bastola, consultant physician at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku.