PANJIM, JULY 9
A second case of swine flu was detected in Goa when seafarer who returned from US tested positive today.
This 31-year-old had come from the US and the throat swab sample taken at the airport proved positive at National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.
The person is quarantined at Cottage Hospital in Chicalim.
The patient was staying in America for the last five months. He left on July 3 from Seattle to Mumbai via Frankfurt and arrived in Mumbai on July 5 and arrived in Goa on the same day.
Speaking to Herald, Director of Health Services, Dr Rajnanda Dessai confirmed that one more person has been detected for swine flu in Goa, taking the total number so far to two.
She said a total of 10 samples were sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune/ National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), since the country was put on alert last month. Of these, two samples have so far been tested positive.
The first case was detected last month and quarantined at the cottage hospital, Chicalim. The person is reported to be stable.
Mormugao correspondent adds: When Herald contacted officials at the Chicalim Cottage Hospital they refused to provide any details of the second swine flu case in the State and stated that all information would be available with Dr Rajendra Tamba, State Chief of Epidemiological Cell of Directorate of Health Services.
When contacted, Dr Tamba declined to throw more light on the swine flu case, claiming that all details had been sent to the Information Department.
There was however, no communique from the department.
