Below messages were circulated on social media platform last year:

Message 1:

Today is the festival of colors. . happy holi to all but keep one thing in mind..itz about swine flu or H1N1 virus. Take proper precautions n instructions before playing holi....coz this is a virus and is active in rainy season.. Itz a viral infection which spreads one to others... So take care...have a safe n happy holi...

Message 2:

SWINE FLU ALERT

HOLI ka festival ek aisa festival hai jisme hum logo se physical hote hai like shake hand, hug etc and this is better for H1N1 VIRUS to infect u. so be alert.

Message 3:

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY, SAFE & COLOURFUL HOLI....

MAY ALL YOUR TROUBLES AND PROBLEMS BURN IN THE FIRE OF HOLI...

ITS MY HUMBLE REQUEST YOU TO ALL TO CARRY SMALL PACKETS OF CAMPHOR AND CORINGDOM PER FAMILY TO BE PLACED IN HOLI FIRE. THIS WILL BURN THE H1N1 VIRUS CAUSING SWINE FLU.

CELEBRATE THIS FESTIVAL OF COLOURS WITH FEELING OF BROTHERHOOD AND HAPPINESS.

Message 4:

YOUR DIET OF FUN, FACTS AND FIGURES---
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SWINE FLU THIS HOLI:
THE RECENT DROP IN TEMPERATURE HAS INCREASED THE RISK OF SPREAD OF SWINE FLU AND H1NI VIRUS. AND THE FESTIVAL OF COLOURS ADDS TO THE RISK. THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS ARE MOST CONDUCIVE TO FACILITATE SURVIVAL OF H1N1 VIRUS.
SINCE H1N1 VIRUS IS AIR BORNE, OPEN SNEEZE OR UNTIDY HANDS CAN BE CARRIERS OF THIS DISEASE .. SINCE HOLI CELEBRATIONS INVOLVE PLAYING WITH WATER, IT CAN BE A HUGE PLATFORM TO TRIGGER THE SPREAD OF THIS DISEASE.. THE EXTENDED WINTER HAS BEEN ONE OF PREDOMINANT REASON FOR SPREAD OF THIS DISEASE. THE FLU VIRUS STAYS SUSPENDED IN THE AIR BETWEEN DAWN TO 8 AM. IT IS THEREFORE ADVISABLE NOT TO START PLAYING HOLI, IF YOU MUST, BEFORE 9AM/10 AM..AVOID GETTING INTO CONTACT WITH MANY PEOPLE.
PRECAUTIONS:---------
*AVOID PHYSICAL CONTACT.
*KEEP THE CELEBRATIONS TO A BARE MINIMUM, SINCE DAMPNESS LEADS TO FURTHER SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS.
*MAKE SURE YOU COVER YOUR NOSE WHILE SNEEZING .
*AVOID INDULGING IN WATER PLAY, AS COUGH AND COLD ARE COMMON TO CATCH, AFTER FESTIVAL.
*THOSE FEELING SICK SINCE PAST FEW DAYS, WITH SYMPTOMS LIKE COLD AND COUGH OR FEVER, SHOULD AVOID ANY TYPE OF CELEBRATIONS.
*AVOID CELEBRATIONS STARTING FROM EARLY MORNING. WAIT TILL THE SUN COMES UP AND IS HIGH UP IN SKY .
WISHING ----A----HAPPY----AND -----SAFE ------HOLI------FRIENDS.

Our Analysis :

The above messages might be true and if precautionary measures are not taken then it can lead to disaster. Even times of India had published an article with precautionary measure -

In North India most of the places, there has been rain, which has lead to dip in temperature, which increase chances of spreading Swine Flu. In South India ( Karnataka and Tamil Nadu), we are already hearing a lot of cases registered due to swine flu.  

Holi is a festival which is celebrated in open air. And swine flu is air-borne disease and it can spread via sneeze or cough or untidy hands can be carriers of this virus. Holi celebrations include playing with water and lot of physical contact is also made to put color on each other.  And if the weather cooler then it becomes favourable for virus to spread.

Doctors have recommended that the flu virus stays suspended in the air between dawn and 8 am, as this is the most favourable for the same. This is the reason it is also advised not to play during morning hours. 

Tips to play safe holi  and make yourself swine flu ready : 

1. Use natural and home made colours for Holi. If you google you can find many ways to make it at home. For instance -

2. If you are not able to make natural colors then buy colors from reputed shops where they sell natural colours.
3. Do not let anyone throw water from dirty areas. It can be source of Swine flu. Play with dry colours as much as possible.
4. Colours can sometime infect your skin. Put some sun Cream lotion in your face and put oil into your hair. It doesn’t allow color to enter your skin pores and keeps you safe.

Conclusion – Holi is festival of colors and celebrations. But in the season of swine flu, one needs take precautionary measures. Safety is better than cure. Swine flu can spread though Holi celebrations. This news looks like real news and should not be fake. We will keep updating this news once we get more updates on it.