Swine flu claims eight lives in Pune

Eight persons including a 10-month-old baby have died of swine flu in Pune in the last two days, taking the toll due to the viral infection in the city to 331 since August last year, health officials said on Thursday.

Pune civic medical officer R Pardeshi said the transmission rate of the infection had been showing an upward trend in the last few days. People needed to take proper precautions to prevent and treat the disease, he said.

At the screening centres, 46 persons tested positive for the virus on Wednesday. The Maharashtra government has not yet issued any advisory regarding mass administration of the anti-swine flu vaccines that have hit the markets, an official said.