Patiala, December 6 - Swine flu has been declared a notifiable disease by the Director Health and Family Welfare, according to which every government and private hospital or laboratory in the district must report suspected or positive swine flu patients to the district health department. Civil Surgeon Dr. Raminder Kaur has issued a letter to all government health institutions and private hospitals/laboratories regarding the implementation of this notification and preparations for the treatment of swine flu patients. should be made so that the patient can be kept separate from other patients. Separate wards should be created for treatment of patients during admission in hospitals. Each hospital should appoint a nodal officer to report cases of swine flu to the district health department. Civil surgeon Dr. Raminder Kaur said that swine flu is a viral fever caused by the HN virus which is transmitted from person to person. It is through breathing. To avoid this disease, use a cloth, handkerchief or mask over the mouth while coughing, sneezing and make sure to wash your hands frequently. He said that high fever, cough-cold, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, feeling like the body is breaking down are the signs of swine flu.