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Asia confirms second swine flu case

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  • Asia confirms second swine flu case

    After the detection of confirmed swine flu cases in America, Europe and Australia, Asia has now reported its second patient with the disease.

    South Korean health officials, who had previously reported three suspected cases of swine flu, have now reported the country's first and Asia's second confirmed swine flu case in a 51-year-old woman who recently returned from Mexico.

    Health authorities are now testing another woman who lived with the now-confirmed patient for possible infection. They have also increased preventative measures to prevent a possible outbreak.

    Hong Kong officials, on Friday, reported Asia's first confirmed swine flu case in a tourist who had recently traveled there from Mexico.

    Authorities quarantined 200 guests and 100 staff members in Metropark hotel where the infected tourist had been staying.

    The antiviral drug Tamiflu was prescribed for all the cases, whereas those with flu-like symptoms are referred to hospital, said a consultant to Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection.

    Hong Kong does not have any direct flights to Mexico; Chinese authorities, therefore, have suspended all the scheduled flights between mainland China and Mexico until further notice.

    Health experts, who are concerned about the spread of the virus in Asia's densely populated countries, are trying to track passengers who were on the same flight as the infected case.

    They have already quarantined fifteen of the flight's passengers due to showing flu-like symptoms.

    Thailand's Public Health Ministry has also reported that the return of fourteen Thai students and volunteers living in Mexico had been scheduled and that the individuals would be quarantined in their homes for one week after their arrival.

    Thermal scanners are also established at Bangkok's international airport to check passengers coming from high-risk countries, said Thai deputy Public Health Minister Nopamornbodee.

    A third case of swine flu has also been confirmed in Israel, in a man who recently returned from Mexico.

    Many believe the deadly 2003 SARS outbreak has helped Asian governments quickly respond to the crisis and by tracking individuals exposed to the infection to contain the potential spread of the disease.
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