Jaipur, March 11 (IANS): The toll due to swine flu in Rajasthan has risen to 358, as 15 more deaths were reported in the state, officials said on Wednesday.

"The toll (since January 1), which was 343 on March 9, has risen to 358 as of Wednesday. The number of positive cases went up by 43 to reach 6,093 across the state," a health department official said.

Jaipur has reported the maximum deaths at 65, followed by Ajmer at 41 and Jodhpur at 33.

"Though there has been a decline in the number of positive cases, we are keeping a close watch on any person showing symptoms similar to swine flu," the official said.

Rajasthan's Medical and Health minister Rajendra Rathore has directed doctors in state-run hospitals to start treatment of patients showing swine flu like symptoms at the earliest.

Rajasthan has already made medical tests free for people suffering from symptoms of swine flu at six government medical college hospital across the state.