H1N1 case in Thrissur

THRISSUR: A case of Influenza A (H1N1) virus was reported in Thrissur, with the Kasturba Hospital in Manipal confirming on Friday evening that the throat swab samples of a 22-year-old student from Bangalore sent by a private hospital here  were tested positive for the infection. Evidence of the H1N1 strain has been found in the patient’s nasal, throat secretions, swabs and blood samples in the test, DMO V V Venus said.The patient was discharged following a few days’ treatment in a private hospital here but the hospital authorities called him back after his throat samples tested positive, she said. The patient had come from Bangalore last week, where he was believed to have contracted the infection, hospital sources said.“Unlike the previous years, the patient has not been quarantined at the hospital. We are not expecting more people who have contracted the infection this time. So after the two days’ monitoring, we would refer him for domiciliary treatment, and we will also give counselling to the family members of the affected,” said Venus.