Assam witnessed first death due to swine flu when one identified as Bhagawan Prasad died of H1N1 infection in a private hospital. He was a resident of Tamulpur area in Baksa district.

Accordingto the reports, he was first admitted in a hospital in Rangia. Later he was rushedto a private hospital at Amingaon after he developed breathing difficulty. Prasadexpired on Wednesday 5 AM.

Meanwhile,test conducted in the laboratory of microbiology department of Gauhati MedicalCollege & Hospital (GMCH) on Thursday confirmed his H1N1 infection.

Swineflu or H1N1 virus spreads from one person to another, either by air or aftertouching surfaces contaminated with the virus, or touching the mouth or nose ofan infected person.