Bombay High Court seeks details of steps taken to tackle H1N1 in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra Government to file an affidavit on the measures it has taken to tackle swine flu cases in the state.

A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah asked the Government to file the affidavit within four weeks while considering a public interest litigation on the increase in cases of swine flu in Maharashtra and sought a direction to the state to take preventive measures.

The petition, filed by advocate Datta Mane, has sought a direction to the Government to set up laboratories for testing H1N1 (swine flu) samples as part of measures to control its spread. The petitioner also wanted the Government to ensure adequate supply of medicines to all hospitals.

"There is not much awareness about swine flu. There is only one government testing laboratory in Mumbai. The Government should state what preventive measures it has taken to address the issue," the petitioner said.

Till yesterday, swine flu had claimed 215 lives in the State.