Swine Flu in Pune: City Tops Maharashtra With 789 Cases and 3 Deaths From January to October 2026
Pune recorded 789 swine flu cases and three deaths between January and October 2026, the most in Maharashtra. Here are the district figures and who can get a free vaccine.
Photo: DesiBoy101 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 6th November 2026: Alongside dengue, swine flu (H1N1) is now a worry for Pune. The city recorded 789 cases and three deaths between January and October 2026, the highest case count in Maharashtra, according to state health department figures reported by Punekar News.
Across the state, 2,858 people tested positive and 35 died in the ten months. That is a sharp jump from 379 cases in all of 2025, though still below the 1,460 cases seen in 2024.
District-wise picture
| City or district | Cases (Jan-Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Pune | 789 |
| Mumbai | 648 |
| Nagpur | 413 |
| Nashik | 376 |
| Pimpri Chinchwad | 159 |
| Kolhapur district | 128 |
Deaths were highest in Nagpur (23), followed by Nashik (8), Pune (3) and Navi Mumbai (1). The health department screened 13.1 lakh people in this period and found 4,375 suspected cases.
Who can get a free flu vaccine
The state says free, voluntary influenza vaccination has been available since 2024 for high-risk groups. These include pregnant women in the second and third trimester, people with diabetes or hypertension, and healthcare workers. Ask at your nearest government hospital or PMC health post.
What hospitals have been told
Isolation facilities have been set up in district and sub-district hospitals and medical colleges. Government and private hospitals have been asked to keep enough stock of oseltamivir, the antiviral used to treat swine flu. Every influenza death, including H1N1 and H3N2, is to be reviewed to find gaps in treatment.
Symptoms to watch
Swine flu looks like ordinary flu at first: fever, cough, sore throat, body ache and tiredness. See a doctor quickly if there is breathlessness, chest pain, high fever lasting more than two days, or if the patient is elderly, pregnant, a young child or has a long-term illness. Do not self-medicate with antivirals.
Pune is also dealing with a dengue season; read our report on PMC’s fogging drive. With winter pollution coming, our guide on checking Pune’s AQI is worth a look for people with breathing problems.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Please consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How many swine flu cases has Pune reported in 2026?
Pune recorded 789 swine flu cases and three deaths between January and October 2026, the highest number of cases in Maharashtra.
Is the flu vaccine free in Maharashtra?
Free, voluntary influenza vaccination is available for high-risk groups such as pregnant women in the second and third trimester, people with diabetes or hypertension, and healthcare workers.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Fever, cough, sore throat, body ache and fatigue. Breathlessness or chest pain needs urgent medical attention.
Which medicine is used for swine flu?
Doctors use the antiviral oseltamivir when needed. It should be taken only on a doctor’s prescription.
