Mumbai, Aug 9 - Rattled by three swine flu deaths in six days, the Maharashtra government Sunday set up a core group to monitor the influenza A (H1N1) spread, as four new cases were reported in the state - three from Pune and one from Navi Mumbai.

The core group, which will includes officials from the health, education, home, social welfare and concerned departments, will take steps to deal with the situation arising out of the swine flu outbreak.

'We are taking all possible measures, and strictly monitoring the developments across the state,' Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said after chairing an emergency meeting of health and education officials to discuss the H1N1 situation in the state.

The government will make available the Tamiflu drug to private hospitals to enable them treat the flu cases that they get.

Three Maharashtra patients - Reeda Shaikh, 14, and Sanjay Kokare, 42, both from Pune, and Fehmida Paanwala, 53, from Mumbai - who succumbed to the swine flu had been first taken to private hospitals after they developed symptoms H1N1.

In order to streamline the information dissemination process, a top official will hold daily media briefings in Mantralaya (the state government headquarters) followed by similar briefings at concerned district headquarters, Chavan said.