India severely hit by H1N1: WHO

WHO says swine flu is now spreading rapidly through the community in India, instead of from moving person to person.

Community spread essentially means measures like airport screening and contact tracing may not be that effective any more. Although this could free up health workers to take care of confirmed cases, the government is still sticking to tracking down suspect cases.

But the rapid spread of swine flu virus in India isn't the big worry for WHO.

They say the states aren't doing enough.

Says Salim Habayeb, WHO representative to India: Centre has done well but in the end health is a state subject and that's where the situation is worrisome. States remain a weak link."

WHO believes there was confusion at first about the best possible way to deal with the virus. While some others just took too long to react.

But badly-hit states like Maharashtra disagree. Says Sharvaree Gokhale, Principal Secretary (Health) Maharashtra: "We have done as well as we possibly could. You look at the web and tell me which countries have done better."

But as swine flu spreads, it's perhaps time for the 178 affected countries to start learning from each other.