http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=123382&d=8&m=6&y=2009&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
Monday 8 June 2009 (14 Jumada al-Thani 1430)
Second case of swine flu detected
Muhammad Humaidan | Arab News
JEDDAH: A Saudi student disembarking from a flight from the United States
at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah has become the second
confirmed case of swine flu in the Kingdom, health officials said yesterday.
"The student returning from the United States after the completion of his
studies there was found to be affected by H1N1 virus and all precautionary
steps have been taken," Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said in a
public statement. "The sick student flew on board Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight
32 coming from Washington. He boarded Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 1108 for
his onward journey to Dammam at 7 a.m. yesterday." Director of the Health
Department in Jeddah Dr. Sami Badawood told Arab News that the confirmation
came after a medical examination. "The swab samples from his mouth and nose
were examined and tested positive for the disease," he said.
The man, whose name and age has not been released, was informed by
airport personnel manning recently installed thermal imaging cameras aimed at
detecting fevers in passengers.
The Health Ministry is urging all passengers on both flights to contact
the Health Department in Jeddah at 02-664-0288 and 02-664-0256 as soon as
possible.
The first case of swine flu in Saudi Arabia was detected in a Filipino
nurse returning from vacation in the Philippines on Wednesday. She developed
symptoms three days after arriving in the Kingdom and was tested during checks
at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, where she works.
Al-Rabeeah said the nurse had been quarantined and was getting medical
attention. He said the authorities investigated all those who had been in
contact with the woman, including family members. No other cases were
discovered, but the family was quarantined for 72 hours to ensure they were
free of the virus.
Al-Rabeeah said the detection of the case came within the ambit of
efforts being made by the Health Ministry to monitor developments concerning
the virus. According to sources at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and
Research Center, the nurse lives in the Kingdom with her husband and three
children.
The Ministry of Health has set up hot lines for reporting H1N1 cases:
01-487-5511(extensions 333, 391 and 392). The lines are open from 8 a.m. to 11
p.m. on working days.
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