Marine engineer admitted to hospital with swine flu symptoms

Bhubaneswar, Aug 6 (PTI) A 36-year-old marine engineer,
who returned from Singapore last month, was Thursday admitted
to the SCB Medical College hospital in eastern city Cuttack
with symptoms of swine flu.

Birendra Kumar Patra of Peethapur in Cuttack showed
symptoms of the deadly virus after he returned from Singapore
last month, hospital superintendent Prof D N Maharana said.

"His blood sample, throat and nasal swabs have been sent
to a Pune-based institute for tests," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, after reviewing
the state's preparedness in meeting the situation, said "there
is no reason for panic. None have tested positive for the H1N1
virus so far."

All steps were in place to tackle the situation in the
event of detection of the virus, he said.

Two isolation wards have been opened at two medical
college hospitals in Cuttack and Berhampur, Health and Family
Welfare Secretary Anu Garg said.

Blood samples of four persons, one each from Bhubaneswar,
Baripada, Cuttack and Dhenkanal, who returned from abroad had
been sent to Pune, but they tested negative, she said.

Garg said it was a blessing that there was no
international airport in the state. "We have made arrangements
at Paradip port to check foreigners and others returning by
ship." PTI AAM
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