Jerusalem – Israel Health Ministry Confirms 1st Case of Swine Flu

Jerusalem – Israel confirmed its first case of swine flu today, Israel Radio reported, as the Health Ministry raised its level of alert 4 out of 6.

A 26-year-old man who recently returned from Mexico was diagnosed with the virus, after two days of quarantine in at the Laniado Hospital im Netanya pending results of his health tests.

Laniado medical director Dr. Avinoam Skolnik said Health Ministry laboratory tests confirmed swine flu, but could not say whether the strain is the same one that appeared in Mexico.
Skolnik said that the patient was in excellent condition.

World health officials, racing to extinguish a new flu strain that is jumping borders, raised a global alert to an unprecedented level as the outbreak claimed more lives in Mexico.

The U.S. prepared for the worst even as President Barack Obama tried to reassure Americans.

With the swine flu having already spread to at least four other countries, authorities around the globe are like firefighters battling a blaze without knowing how far it extends.
At this time, containment is not a feasible option, said Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general of the World Health Organization, which raised its alert level on Monday.

Another Israeli man has also been quarantined until further notice in hospitals in a Kfar Sava, after he too returned from Mexico with fu-like symptoms.

The Health Ministry said Monday that it had embraced the recommendation of the European Commission to postpone nonessential travel to Mexico and recommends that travelers be alert to reports regarding other countries.

The ministry did recommend that such travelers seek medical assistance if they develop flu-like symptoms within seven days after their return. These individuals would be quarantined at local hospitals until their condition is determined.