The number of deaths caused by swine flu in the country has touched 1,094. Of this, 342 people have died due to the viral illness in the past three weeks. The latest data on swine flu, released by the Union health ministry on Wednesday , reveals that Maharashtra and Gujarat are worst affected by the viral influenza with 437 and 269 deaths, respectively. States like Rajasthan, Kerala and Delhi have also reported a high incidence of the disease.

The H1N1 strain in circulation this year is different from that in previous years, Dr A C Dhariwal, director of NCDC, told TOI. "The virus in circulation this year is of the Michigan strain. Earlier, it was mostly the California strain," Dhariwal said. He said the new strain could be a reason for the increased incidence and mortality, but it is yet to be proved scientifically . The AIIMS and Pune's National Institute of Virology said the same thing.

Data on swine flu cases and deaths released by the government shows September and October are peak months for transmission of the viral influenza which took on epidemic proportions in 2009 and again peaked in 2015.

In Delhi, government data shows five people died of the viral illness and 1,719 people had been affected as on August 20. However, TOIchecked with five top hospitals and found they had recorded more than 40 deaths. Union health ministry officials said under-reporting was a possibility . "Health is a state subject. We cannot do anything about it. The Centre only reports what the states tell us," they clarified.

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