Mumbia closes schools due to H1N1

India is the latest country to close schools in order to minimize the growing H1N1 concerns on Wednesday for a week in one city. The city of Mumbai is dealing with a high incidence of the swine flu.

Maharashtra has had the highest incidents of the swine flu in India. Two women died after contracting the disease in Mumbai. Mumbai is home to the booming Bollywood industry. There are an estimated 18 million people living in the huge city. BMC announced the school closings reports PTI News:

"The civic-run schools will remain closed from August 13 to 21. We do not know what the situation will be after August 21. We will review the situation and see what should be done," Additional Municipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said.

There are about 1,100 public schools and 350 colleges that have shut down due to the pandemic. There are additional private schools that have closed their doors also. Public theaters have also been ordered to close by the government. BBC reports that school children have been given masks in an effect to prevent the spread of disease. Over 100,000 doses of Tamiflu have been sent to cities dealing with the virus. Worldwide the World Health Organization says that 1,154 people have died from this strain of the flu since it appeared this spring in Mexico. Most of the cases of swine flu in India have been imported from people who went on overseas trips. As a result of that the 22 international airports within India's authorities have introduced screenings of passengers.