Mumbai, Aug 12 - Reeling under the growing menace of swine flu that has claimed 13 lives in Maharashtra in 10 days, the state government Wednesday admitted the disease was progressing, necessitating a change in strategy to counter it.

In view of the serious situation, health authorities have proposed a change in protocol for treating the large number of patients - either suspects or afflicted - of swine flu, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sharvari Gokhale told mediapersons.

The existing protocol is to take a swab of the patient and give them a Tamiflu tablet - he/she is given two tablets if found positive.

'Now, we have proposed to give two tablets at the initial stage itself since we are already aware of all the symptoms of H1N1,' she said.

The issue was discussed with a central health team, which visited Mumbai Wednesday and a final decision will be given by it Thursday.

Gokhale pointed out that Tamiflu is a Schedule X drug, meaning it can be prescribed only under certain conditions since its improper use can result in the virus developing resistance to it and making it ineffective.

The official further said that 22 private hospitals in Mumbai and nine in Pune have come forward to offer treatment facilities for swine flu patients since the government hospitals were getting overcrowded.

'Five of our medical teams are checking out the facilities available at these hospitals, whether they are equipped to treat swine flu, before we take a final decision,' Gokhale said.