Maharashtra to Offer Free Cancer Vaccination for Girls, Implements Bird Flu Precautions

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced on Saturday that the state will provide free cancer vaccines to girls aged 0-14, amid rising cancer cases. 

"Changes in lifestyle have led to an increase in cancer cases in both rural and urban areas. Previously associated with specific addictions, cancer is now being detected in all age groups, including children, which is concerning," he stated. To combat this issue, the Maharashtra government is launching a free cancer vaccination program. 

"We have asked Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar to implement this initiative for girls aged 0-14, and he has agreed," Abitkar added. Additionally, the state is taking preventive measures following the detection of bird flu in crows in Vidarbha. Abitkar confirmed that there are no confirmed human cases. 

"We are taking precautions due to avian influenza detected in crows in Vidarbha. There is no clear evidence of bird flu in the suspected patient, and we have sent his report to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for analysis. As a precaution, we have temporarily closed chicken shops in the area," he said.

Also Read: Bird Flu Outbreak in Maharashtra: Over 6,000 Chickens Died in Poultry Farm Due to H5N1 Virus in Washim

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar advised the public to avoid undercooked chicken amid an ongoing Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Pune, addressing concerns during the 75th anniversary event of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).