Pune weather conducive to H1N1 virus: NIV

I / Pune August 11, 2009, 19:36 IST

The weather conditions in worst-hit Pune could be conducive to swine flu virus, which is spreading rapidly in the city, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) said today.

"Pune's climate at present is not too hot nor too cold, which may be conducive for survival of swine flu virus," NIV Director A C Mishra told PTI here.

The NIV has issued guidelines to authorities in Pune on how to deal with patients and on screening of suspected cases. "We are in constant touch with them and guiding the doctors on priority of treatment in serious cases," Mishra said.

Asked if any international model could be followed to tackle swine flu, he replied in the negative. "Actually, there is no interenational model available to be followed. Every country deals with the situation in its own way aiming to reduce mortality rates and economic losses," he said.

In case of Pune, measures like closing of schools, colleges and other public places have already been taken, he added.

A 13-year-old city girl, Shruti Gawade, became the latest victim of the deadly virus, taking the death count due to the disease in the district to five.