Jaipur, Jan 14 (IANS): Seven people have died and 19 tested positive for swine flu in Rajasthan this year, forcing the state government to put its health department on alert, an official said Wednesday.

The deaths have been reported from Banswara, Barmer, Tonk, Kota and Jaipur areas, while the positive cases have been reported from Jaipur, Sikar, Tonk, Kota among other districts, an official told IANS.

"We have decided to do a survey of at least 50 houses near the house where a positive case of swine flu has been reported," a senior medical department official said.

"We are requesting all the patients suffering from cold, fever, cough or running nose to come to hospital for a check-up. We do not want to take any chances," he added.

The official said that after the sudden spurt in swine flu cases since the beginning of this year, the state health department has been geared to face any eventuality.

Health Minister Rajendra Rathore has directed all district hospitals to collect samples of suspected swine flu patients and send them to government-run medical colleges for tests.

Health officials have also been asked to keep stock of medicines used for the treatment of H1N1 influenza.