Bangalore: The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) here has shut down for 10 days to prevent the spread of the influenza A H1N1 virus that has killed 20 people in Karnataka.

The decision to close down the famous law school follows several educational institutions here closing down for a few days.

"The decision was taken as a precautionary measure. The university decided to close for 10 days, so that the entire campus can be fumigated. The fumigation process has already started," NLSIU Vice Chancellor R. Venkata Rao told sources.

The university decided to close in the wake of a swine flu death in its neighbourhood Nagarabhavi here last week. The university will reopen on August 30.

However, none of the university students have tested positive for the virus during their screening recently at the Mallige Hospital.

"We don't want to take any chances. When the university reopens, students will be asked to bring their medical certificate. We may further screen the students," said Rao.

Due to the "forced" closure, the academic calendar of NLSIU has suffered. Few mid-term internal exams that were scheduled for next week have been postponed.

But students are not complaining and have welcomed the decision of the authorities.

"It's a pandemic and the authorities have taken the right decision to keep the university closed for 10 days. The health of the students is important and should be taken care of," said a second year student of the university.

Moreover, with the death of 16-year-old girl due to H1N1 virus in Bijapur district Wednesday night, the fatalities due to swine flu in the state has gone up to 20, health officials here said.

The victim, Sunanda Kandawal, was admitted to the Al Ameen Medical College Hospital in Bijapur on Tuesday with pneumonia. She tested positive for H1N1 on Thursday evening, said health officials.

The city on Thursday reported 21 confirmed cases of swine flu. IANS