Pune:
Civic health authorities, concerned over a possible rise in Swine flu cases with the onset of the monsoon, have appealed to 'Warkari' devotees set to enter the city in the coming days via Pandharpur for 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' pilgrimage, to undergo a health check covering H1N1 symptoms.
"Thousands of Warkaris , devotees of Lord Vitthal , will commence their annual Wari' from Saturday carrying palanquins of saint Dynaneshwar and Tukaram from Alandi and Dehu respectively with a two-day overnight halt in Pune on way," said Dr R Pardeshi, medical officer of Pune Municipal Corporation said that, the health department had sent communications to various groups of pilgrims , to undergo primary check covering symptoms of Swine flu among the participants.
"Mobile clinics too would be added to the pilgrims' procession to monitor and isolate suspected cases of H1N1 infection," he added.
Meanwhile, hospital sources reported one more Swine flu death , a 29-year-old youth , in Pune, taking the toll to 248.
The April-June 2010 quarter has accounted for as many as 37 victims with stray cases beginning to surface in schools which reopened last month.