India records first swine flu case

India recorded its first case of swine flu, with a 23-year-old man who flew from New York to Hyderabad testing positive for the virus.

The patient, who travelled from the United States via Dubai, arrived in Hyderabad on May 13 and was isolated as he reported fever and his samples were sent for a detailed examination.

"His samples tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1). He is on treatment with Oseltamivir and presently afebrile," the health ministry said in a statement. It said all the local contacts of the infected man have been traced and their health status is being monitored. The locals are afebrile, it added.

All the passengers who traveled in the connecting flight from Dubai to Hyderabad have been identified and they are being contacted through Integrated Disease Surveillance Project and their health status would be monitored. These passengers are also being advised to remain under home quarantine for further period of seven days.

The ministry of health and family welfare has appealed to all passengers who travelled on Flight EK-524 reaching Hyderabad on 13.5.2009 to self monitor for influenza like illness [fever, cough, difficulty in breathing] and to provide their contact details to Government of India on toll free No. 1075 or 1800-11-4377 or Outbreak Monitoring Cell of National Institute of Communicable Diseases at 011-23921401 or Department of Health, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh control room at Chest Hospital, Hyderabad No. 040-23814939 to enable public health authorities to monitor their health status.