Country's first H1N1 flu patient stable

The first ever positive swine flu case was reported from Hyderabad when a young man who travelled from New York was found to be infected by the H1N1 virus and has been quarantined at the Chest Hospital in Hyderabad.

The first ever positive swine flu case was reported from Hyderabad when a young man who travelled from New York was found to be infected by the H1N1 virus and has been quarantined at the Chest Hospital in Hyderabad.

HT Image

The patient is now being treated with anti-viral drugs Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and is stable, the Superintendent of the Chest Hospital S V Prasad told the news agency today.

"He will be quarantined at least for a week. Those passengers who travelled along with the patient are being verified," Prasad said.

Passengers who were seated in three rows in the front and three rows in the back of this particular passenger (patient) who tested positive, will be traced.

Prasad said the passenger traveled in an Emirates Airline from New York via Dubai to Hyderabad.

He reached India on Wednesday morning and was quarantined after he was found to be suffering from fever.

He has been shifted to the identified isolation facility under strict infection control and his samples have been tested positive for influenza H1N1, he said.

Prasad said the matter is of concern but there is nothing to panic about it as this patient was immediately screened and sent to the Chest Hospital and the virus may effect only those who are weak otherwise normal individuals will not suffer from influenza or common cold

Prasad said those passengers who travelled with the patient will be identified within 24 hours and be checked for symptoms and home quarantined if necessary.

Director of Health Department is helping to trace these passengers and are advising them to remain under home quarantine, Prasad said.

Their data is also being collected with the help of Airport authorities and Immigration personnel.

"If those passengers quarantine themselves at home, that is sufficient, because they should not spread the virus," he said.

The passengers affected should understand the nature of the disease as it is contagious and affects human beings, he added.

There is nothing to panic as there is low mortality in swine flu compared to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

He cited the example of the H1N1 flu incidents in the US where despite 2,500 persons being effected by the virus, only three deaths were reported.

However, the spread of the virus definitely needs to be controlled, Prasad added.