A city in western India has banned public gatherings after swine flu has killed almost 1,000 people in the last 11 weeks.

Officials in Ahmedabad have banned gatherings of more than 5 people.  The city, the capital of Gujarat state, is going to allow funerals and weddings but all participants and attendees must wear protective masks throughout the gathering.

The law used is usually to stop rioting or social disorder.

Gujarat state has the second highest number of deaths in the country from the H1N1 virus.  The ban went into place after the assembly speaker and the state health minister both were found to have the virus.

Doctors say the death toll is likely climbing because people are delaying going to hospitals believing it’s just a regular cold and not swine flu.

Federal Health Minister J.P. Nadda said the country has enough medicine to treat cases and the public should not panic.