UAE Testing Man Suspected of Having Swine Flu

[hornblower]

21 May 2009

DUBAI - The United Arab Emirates has placed an air passenger who arrived from Canada in isolation because of concerns he may have H1N1 flu, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

?A passenger who arrived in Abu Dhabi from Canada was put in isolation after he was suspected of having the swine flu,? the ministry said, quoted by Wam.

The passenger was undergoing medical checks, it said.

The World Health Organisation chief said on Thursday she would not hesitate to raise the global pandemic alert to the top of the six-point scale if the new H1N1 flu is spreading globally.

The flu has killed 85 people and infected more than 11,000 in 41 countries, according to the WHO.

Although large pockets have appeared outside its North American stronghold, with infections rising quickly in Japan and clusters seen in Britain and Spain, the WHO has so far kept its alert level at 5 which means a pandemic is ?imminent?. India confirmed a case last week of a man who flew to India from the United States via Dubai on Emirates.

No Gulf country has reported any cases of the flu.

[Laidback Al]

Re: UAE Testing Man Suspected of Having Swine Flu

Doctor with swine flu symptoms self reports in the UAE


By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
Published: May 21, 2009, 23:55

Abu Dhabi: A passenger who arrived at the capital from Canada has been quarantined by authorities on suspicion of the H1N1 influenza virus (swine flu).
?A passenger who arrived from Canada was suspected by health authorities of showing H1N1 flu symptoms,? the Ministry of Health announced Thursday evening through the official news agency, WAM.
An official source, who asked not to be named, told Gulf News that the passenger is a Canadian national, of Pakistani origin.
Being a doctor himself, the man felt suspicious as he had flu symptoms and presented himself to a hospital in Al Ain to be checked.
Though the man was found to be showing H1N1 flu symptoms, there is no confirmation as yet if he is infected with the virus.
<the passenger?s="" blood="" sample="" has="" been="" sent="" a="" specialised="" laboratory="" in="" london="" to="" undergo="" necessary="" tests="" for="" confirmation.="" [="" color]=""></the>Test results are expected to be in by later on Friday, said the source.

Under control
?The passenger has been quarantined and precautionary medical measures have been taken to examine and diagnose his disease,? WAM reported.
The official added that the Ministry of Health will make public the details after procuring the results.
The ministry said that the procedures approved by the Supervisory Committee on Combating H1N1 are going according to plan with the cooperation of all bodies concerned.
All precautionary measures are in place and people are urged not to panic as the situation is very much under control, the official stressed.
When contacted, an Abu Dhabi airport official said that all passengers from affected countries are now being passed through the thermal scanners before they enter the country, as part of the cautionary measures.
The number of worldwide swine flu infections surged to 11,034 in 41 countries on Thursday, including 85 deaths, the World Health Organisation reported.
Wednesday's tally had been 10,243 cases and 80 deaths.
With inputs from Abdullah Rasheed, Abu Dhabi Editor.

http://archive.gulfnews.com/nation/Health/10315913.html

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