Swine flu suspect admitted to RML hospital

New Delhi, May 2 (ANI): A London-based NRI has been admitted to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital following complaints of running nose, cough and throat irritation, suspected to be symptoms of swine flu.

Official sources informed that the man, soon after his arrival on Saturday, was subjected to screening for swine flu symptoms at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).

He was later admitted to the hospital where further tests are being conducted on him.

Medical superintendent NK Chaturvedi said, "He (the patient) was admitted to the isolation ward of the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital... We have collected his clinical samples and they have been forwarded to the laboratory for tests."

Another 25-year-old passenger, who arrived in Delhi from Texas, was admitted to the same hospital yesterday, and has been discharged after he tested negative for the influenza.

The patient, who is a resident of Ghaziabad, had reached Delhi on April 24.

Besides, another two passengers flying in from Chicago were also admitted in the hospital late on Friday night. Both were suffering from cough, cold, fever and upper respiratory infection.

Swine flu, which is now being called influenza A (H1N1) by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has been spreading rapidly with over 350 confirmed cases being reported the world over.

The Government on Friday had said passengers from the H1N1 virus affected countries will be screened intently at all the airports of the country.

The authorities have deployed 96 doctors for the purpose. Screening was done at 10 airports yesterday.

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health Vineet Chaudhary revealed that a total of 2,000 passengers, who have come in from the affected countries, have already been tracked and are being kept under watch. (ANI)