India gets its first swine flu patient: A 23-year-old Hyderabadi
Posted on Saturday, 16th May 2009
New Delhi: A 23-year-old man, who arrived at Hyderabad airport from the US, has been found to be infected with influenza A (H1N1). This is the first case of swine flu in India, the health ministry said Saturday.
The passenger travelled by Emirates Airline from New York to Hyderabad via Dubai. He reached India Wednesday morning and was quarantined after he was found to be suffering from fever.
"He was shifted to the identified isolation facility under strict infection control. His samples have tested positive for influenza A (H1N1)," a health ministry statement issued here said.
The person, who has not been identified, was being treated with anti-influenza drugs Oseltamivir and Afebrile.
All the passengers who came in contact with the infected person are also being monitored.
"The office of the concerned airlines has been contacted to provide the list of passengers who travelled with him in close proximity. Information of such passengers would be provided to the WHO (World Health Organisation) and respective countries through the external affairs ministry," it said.
The passengers are being advised to remain under home quarantine for a period of seven days and monitor themselves for symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.
They are also being asked to provide their contact details to Indian authorities