Srinagar, Feb 5 (IANS): A man died of swine flue infection at the super specialty Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS) Soura here, hospital sources said Tuesday.

The sources told IANS that the man died Monday although doctors at the super specialty hospital have not officially confirmed it

"A senior assistant in the administrative section of SKIMS, who had been undergoing treatment for H1N1 infection, passed away yesterday (Monday)," a hospital source told IANS.

Teams of doctors were seen collecting samples from the family members and neighbours of the deceased person in Tullamulla village of north Kashmir's Ganderbal district to determine the extent of swine flu infection.

Saleem-ur-Rehman, director health services Kashmir, told IANS: "We had sent teams of doctors to the area Monday.

"Today (Tuesday) medicines were distributed among the people in the area to create awareness and suggest preventive measures."

A senior doctor at the hospital said last month four people had reported with symptoms of swine flu after tests were carried out on them.

On being asked about the preventive measures one should take to combat the spread of the infection, a senior doctor said: "People must keep their immune system healthy and avoid direct contact with infected people. Patients with confirmed swine flu infection must not attend social functions.

"There is a chance of the infection spreading to others through coughing and sneezing. The infected person must use a tissue paper while coughing or sneezing.

"People should take precautions like frequent washing of their hands and not listen to rumours, which usually tend to generate a panic among them," Showkat Zargar, director of SKIMS said.