Shinde chaired a meeting to review the health department's preparedness to tackle the influenza virus H3N2 here, an official release said.

"If treated early, influenza can be cured. This should be known to everyone,'' he was quoted as saying.

Authorities should also ensure that the ongoing strike of government employees for the Old Pension Scheme does not impact the treatment of patients at government hospitals, he said.

The private medical sector should be roped in if needed, the CM told officials.

Earlier on Thursday, a 73-year-old man with comorbidities who had also tested positive for the H3N2 virus died at a civic-run hospital in Pimpri-Chinchwad area of Pune district, officials said. PTI MR KRK KRK KRK

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.