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| Health Ministry reports: First Swine Flu case |
Jun 17, 2009
Source: Daily News - By Nuwan Kodikara |
The first person diagnosed with Swine Flu has been found in the country, said Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday evening at a hurriedly convened press conference held at the Health Ministry in Colombo.
The patient detected from Wattala is an eight-year old boy who has arrived from Australia to attend a wedding function. He had come with his father last Sunday, June 14.
As the boy was suffering from high fever and cough the parents have informed the Australian High Commission in Colombo, which later informed the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry.
The boy was thereafter admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Angoda, where he is receiving treatment at present.
The Minister requested the public not to panic as all necessary medicines to treat Swine Flu is available in the country and the Ministry was prepared for any eventuality. The Government has already drawn plans to contain the spreading of Swine Flu, he added.
At present information is being sought of persons who have arrived in Sri Lanka in the same plane as the sick boy and also of its crew, the Minister said.
Several Epidemiologists and other medical specialists attended the press briefing. They said the symptoms of Swine Flu include cough, irritation in the throat, body-pain and headache.
The public are advised to contact the health authorities if an infection takes place. Patients are also advised to refrain from mingling with the public and be indoors.
Among those present were epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Peiris, Medical Consultants Gitani Wickremasinghe and Ranjith Wijesinghe and the WHO representative in Sri Lanka Dr. Metha.
Meanwhile, a brother of the sick boy has been detained at the Singapore Airport on his way to Sri Lanka. He has also been infected with Swine Flu, Singapore authorities have informed Sri Lankan authorities.
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