Maldives detects first case of swine flu


An Indonesian women working in Coco Palm Resort in Baa Atoll has tested positive to swine flue. The tourist, an Indonesian woman was initially treated at Baa Thulhadhoo Health Center, after reporting sick and was later evacuated to Male’ when she showed flue like symptoms. She was tested in Male’ and was found positive and is now in the quarantine center established by the Health Ministry.

According to health ministry, additional testing is required to fully confirm the case and as such samples are to be sent to Sri Lanka for testing. Ministry also said she is now in the quarantine center and remain there for a period of seven days.

Health ministry said efforts to prevent an outbreak of swine flue, A H1N1 influenza, in Maldives are still ongoing with any interruption and that over 80,000 passengers arriving Maldives via sea ports and airports has been screened and that so far no one has been tested positive although 4 people were quarantined for having flue like symptoms.

74 countries are reported to have AH1N1 virus, according to latest statistics from World Health Organization (WHO). In countries like India, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, China and Korea the influenza is spreading fast.

Health ministry has called on the travelling public to exercise caution when travelling abroad. Symptoms of the disease include watery nose, coughing, fever, sneezing and shortness of breath

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