Mumbai, August 25: Swine flu is spreading to interior parts of Maharashtra as the pandemic toll reached 40 following one more death in the state today, the government said.
“Altogether, 22 districts have been affected by H1N1 infection so far in the state. Swine flu is now spreading to interior parts of the state as well, though initially the patients were from urban areas,” additional chief secretary, health, Sharwaree Gokhale told reporters here.
Asked if strict measures (closing schools, banning mass gathering at festivals) would be taken by the government to stop further spreading of the killer virus, she replied in the negative. “There is no indication world wide that any strict action has helped to stop its spreading. So, it was consciously decided not to take any (such) action,” she said.
Death toll climbed to 40 in the state including 23 from Pune, eight in Mumbai, five in Nashik, two in Aurangabad and one patient each from Dhule and Latur.
On a query about stock of Tamiflu tablets, Gokhale said the state has sufficient stock of the tablet supplied by the Centre.
Pune struggles to get back to normalcy Most of the educational establishments, malls and theatres in the city reopened after a gap of two weeks today as Pune, considered the epicentre of the swine flu pandemic in the country with 23 victims, struggled to return to normalcy.
Pune district Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar told reporters that the decision to reopen schools and colleges would remain unchanged and requested people to avoid mass gatherings during the 10-day Ganesh festival which commenced yesterday.
Pawar claimed that out of the 23 reported H1N1 casualties, 19 persons were also found to be suffering from other ailments that aggravated their condition after catching the infection.
He appealed to the public to cooperate with the district administration in controlling the situation arising from the pandemic. The flu claimed three victims — two middle aged women and a small girl — yesterday.
Some schools owing affiliation to Central boards have, however, decided to continue with closure for another week as a precautionary measure. Attendance at the reopened schools and colleges was markedly thin as students sat in classes wearing face masks.
Meanwhile, health officials said eight swine flu patients were in a critical condition at different hospitals. The state government has decided to increase beds at Aundh hospital here to up to 1000, the minister said.
–Agencies