IANS

Pune, Aug 9: A 42-year-old man succumbed to swine flu here early Sunday, taking the death toll from the influenza A (H1N1) virus to three in Maharashtra, health authorities said.

"Sanjay Kokare had been admitted to a hospital just two days ago and he passed away this morning (Sunday) at Sassoon Hospital at around 1 a.m.," Pradeep Awate, head of the state Swine Flu Control Room told IANS.

Kokare, a schoolteacher, had been admitted to a hospital in Khedegaon village near Pune July 31, said Ashok Ladda, additional director of the family welfare department.

"He had improved and was at home for two days. Thereafter his condition again deteriorated and he was taken to a private hospital in Pune. He was shifted to Sassoon Hospital two days back and was on ventilator. But he did not revive," Ladda said.

On Saturday evening, a 53-year old woman, Fahmida Paanwala, died of swine flu complications in Mumbai's Kasturba Hospital. On Aug 3, a 14-year old girl, Reeda Shaikh, became the country's first casualty of swine flu in Pune.

Medical authorities are also closely monitoring the condition of three people, a medico and a pharmacist, who are in a critical condition in Pune, and a 28-year-old businessman lying critical in a Mumbai suburban hospital.

Authorities are also keeping a close watch on 49 new swine flu cases reported in the city Saturday and the total 261 across the state.