South Cyprus says tests show first H1NI case

NICOSIA, May 30 (Reuters) - Cyprus has identified its first case of the new H1N1 flu virus, the island's health minister said on Saturday.

The patient was a 39-year-old woman from Moldova, living in Cyprus, who returned from the United States on May 28.

The woman almost immediately checked herself into a hospital on her return to Cyprus, after being informed that the children of the family she had been staying with had contracted the new flu virus, Health Ministry officials said.

"We have confirmed the first case of the new flu virus in Cyprus," Health Minister Christos Patsalides said. "Her condition is quite satisfactory," he said, saying it was an "imported" and isolated case.

A second person on the same aircraft as the woman had shown "some symptoms" and was being monitored, the officials said.

Other passengers who travelled with the woman to Cyprus had been located and were receiving some preventative treatment, Patsalides said.

"There is absolutely no cause for concern. This is a mild flu and people should follow Health Ministry guidelines," he said. (Reporting by Michele Kambas; Editing by Jon Hemming)

 

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31.05.2009