Maharashtra Constitutes Core Group to Monitor H1N1 Spread

With the state accounting for three of the four reported H1N1 deaths in the country, Maharastra government on Sunday announced the constitution of a core group to committee monitor the influenza A (H1N1) spread, even as four new cases were reported in the state.

Three of the new cases testing positive for the dreaded H1N1 virus were reported from Pune, the epicenter of the disease in the country, while the fourth was said to be in Navi Mumbai.

The state has witnessed three swine flu related deaths in the last six days.

The core group, consisting of officials from the health, education, home, social welfare and a few other state government departments, will initiate steps to tackle the situation emerging from the outbreak.

“We are taking all possible measures, and strictly monitoring the developments across the state,” said Chief Minister Ashok Chavan coming out of an emergency meeting convenes to discuss the H1N1 situation in the state.

Chavan’s government is scheduled to face the electoral litmus sometime in October, unless polls to the state assembly are postponed due to the spread of the virus.