A Ghatkopar woman has died of swine flu. She was 19 years old and was pregnant. Following this incident a meeting has been called by state health minister Vijay Kumar Gavit on Saturday for discussing the issue with representatives from all private hospitals at Mantralaya.

Dr Girish Ambe, executive health officer of the BMC said, "The patient was having fever since days before she was admitted in the hospital which shows a delay in seeking treatment. She was administered a complete course of Tamiflu at Sion Hospital, but it was too late by then."

State health officials report states that in the city about 18 persons have died because of swine flu.

There has been a malaria death also that makes the malaria toll 12 this month. The 24-year-old Dadar resident within hours of admission to a civic hospital succumbed to complications.

The latest H1N1 victim was admitted to a private hospital on July 15 and transferred to Sion Hospital on July 16.

Dr Sandhya Kamat, dean of Sion Hospital said, "It was only on her admission to Sion Hospital that we started her on a course of Tamiflu."

Pregnant women, people suffering from respiratory disorders and children are vulnerable to swine flu.