The government recognized H1N1 testing labs have drastically increased the prices set to test samples owing to the abounding number of submissions in a day.

With the country's death toll increasing more than 103 in the past few months, panic prevails among people regarding the Swine Flu virus has made them throng towards labs even for an ordinary flu. Unable to cope up with the growing needs, the testing labs are managing with the stock available and have increased the cost by more than 60% in a short time.

A doctor in the private laboratory said, "The cost involved in the test materials are high due to the demand in the market and we are forced to increase it from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 for the preliminary test. The basic nose swab samples reveal virus infection from H1 to H9 and N1 to N7."

Such tests are done for free at the government aided King Institute while people prefer more of private laboratories which are easier to access. But, the health minister opines the hype created by the intimidated people is worse than the actual epidemic. Moreover, process is on to set a guideline to distinguish patients and leave the rest who show minor symptoms.