The Maharashtra health authorities have launched a search for a taxi driver from Ambernath, who brought to Pune the D'Silva family, whose three members are infected with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus

The Deputy Director of Health B P Gaikwad told reporters at Sassoon Hospital that the search was to ensure the taxi driver has not been inadvertently infected by the D'Silva family, the first SARS-affected persons in the state. "If so, it would be best to quarantine him to prevent spreading the disease," he said.

The driver had taken them from Ambernath to Pune on April 17. The D'Silva family, including Stanley, his mother Vimla, sister Julie and uncle Joseph, had travelled in the taxi.

Meanwhile, relatives of all the D'Silva family and those who came close to them have been kept in quarantine.

The state health authorities have also started intensive surveillance of those who have come in close contact with the family.

This includes people of the building where they live in Pune, building in Ambernath where Stanley stayed before coming to Pune, and those who attended the wedding of Stanley's sister Julie.

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