New Delhi, India (BBN) - A 23-year-old passenger, who arrived at Hyderabad from the U.S., has been confirmed to be carrying the deadly H1N1virus. This is the first case of Influenza AH1N1 in India, the Indian Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday.
The passenger travelled by the Emirates Airline from New York to Hyderabad via Dubai. He reached India on Wednesday morning and was quarantined after he was found to be suffering from fever.
“We have informed Dubai and New York health authorities through the World Health Organization (WHO) about the case and informed them to track all those he might have passed on the infection to,” Indian Health Secretary Naresh Dayal was quoted by the Indian Express as saying.
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 and respective countries through the External Affairs Ministry,” a health ministry press statement 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.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-17May09-2:26 am (BST)