Maldives registers first swine flu death

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

ooru300roagaaA 65 year old Maldivian man with swine flu or H1N1 virus passed away yesterday afternoon, Health Ministry has confirmed.

The man from Raa Inguraidhoo was taken to Raa Ungoofaaru regional with suspected swine flu symptoms. He was tested positive when his samples were brought to Male’at dawn of Wednesday.

It is not known whether he had traveled abroad at a recent date or if he came into contact with a swine flu patient.

It has been reported by Health Ministry that when he was taken to the regional hospital he was in a chronic condition and he died yesterday afternoon at 2.35. This is the first death registered as swine flu as the cause of death and also the first person to have contracted swine flu in Maldives itself.

Health ministry stressed that this was an indication that the H1N1 virus was beginning to spread in Maldives and so cautioned the public on covering mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing and to frequently wash hands.

The ministry further advised the public to contact National Emergency Operation Center number 3320829 if a person arriving in Maldives from a country where there is an outbreak of swine flu, comes with symptoms such as fever and common cold.

The latest report on swine flu in the country shows that the last person to contract swine flu was an 8 year old girl. Out of the 6 cases of swine flu registered in Maldives, 4 were Maldivian and 2 were foreigners.

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