Rule for school closure: ‘at least 3’ H1N1 cases

“The health department would involve private doctors and if the need be will request them to set aside beds in their hospitals,” Shingane said.

Warding off queries about inefficient handling of the swine flu situation in Pune,the minister said in the past three months there have been no deaths and the numbers are not as huge as those in other countries. He however said that since Pune has a fair share of international students,care should be taken to ensure they are screened. He said that till date 9.5 lakh international passengers have been screened at the Mumbai,Pune and Nagpur airports.

On Tuesday evening,the swine flu control cell confirmed that there were six more patients infected with the swine flu virus in Pune. Among the six,three are schoolchildren and three are parents of these children.

From Aundh,five cases were reported,of which three were students of New India School. The other two are software consultants. This has increased the number of cases to 65,of which 48 are children.

Today,Bal Shiksha Mandir became the fifth school in the city to have presence of H1N1 affected children. It may be recalled that four schools have already shut down for about a week — three due to presence of infected children and one as a precaution.

Dr Pradeep Awate,in charge of the swine flu control cell,said that among the new cases,one child each is from New India English School,Bal Shikshan Mandir and Springdale School. Dr R R Pardeshi,chief medical officer,PMC,said a decision to shut these schools will be taken after discussion with the health authorities and the education department.

No closure of Panchgani school
After 16 students were found positive with H1N1 virus at St Peter’s boarding school in Panchgani,the district authorities have decided not to shut the school. Instead,40 day scholars have been directed to stay at home for a week. Meanwhile,according to Dr Vijay Singh Mohite,Satara district health officer,the 304 boarding students will not be allowed to go out.

While 16 students have recovered from swine flu,the health authorities in Satara are now checking each school in Panchgani. Mohite said parents were not being allowed to meet the students. There are 16 schools with nearly 5,000 students in Panchgani.