The government on Friday issued guidelines on when schools with swine flu cases should shut entirely and when they should shut only a class or a division. Six schools in Pune are shut after children tested positive.

“We have asked schools to shut a class if a case has been confirmed. If more cases are identified then the school can decide on shutting all classes,” said Sharvaree Gokhale, principal secretary, public health and family welfare.

If, for example, one student tests positive, only his or her class will shut for seven days. If more than one class is affected, the school will have to be shut for “specified period”, officials said. The guidelines were prepared at at a meeting in Pune between state health officials also asked the district authorities of Thane, Nashik, Satara and Pune.

State and district officials have asked school authorities to identify students with symptoms like cough and sneezing and get them checked.

The virus had spread in Pune schools after students had attended a programme in Kothrud on the total solar eclipse. “On July 14, students from schools were invited by an NGO at Kothrud for a discussion on the solar eclipse,” said Dr Pradeep Avte, in charge of the state swine flu cell.

This is believed to have spread the virus, Avte said. Another possible factor, he said, is tuitions where students from various schools go.

At Friday’s meeting, state officials also asked the district authorities to prepare a draft action plan for the business continuity if there is an epidemic. “If the flu reaches pandemic proportions and if 30 per cent employees are absent, corporations and councils should keep an action plan for essential services ready,” said Dr Avte.

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