Second Iberia passenger in hospital with possible H1N1 infection
60-year-old Carmiel woman admitted with fever, flu-like symptoms. Hospital inquiry determined she was on same flight as 20-year-old already diagnosed with swine flu
A 60-year-old resident of Carmiel suffering flu-like symptoms was admitted to the hospital in Nahariya on Tuesday afternoon for testing to determine whether she contracted the H1N1 virus.
The woman had returned to Israel on Saturday morning from a vacation in Cuba on Iberia Airlines flight 3752, which had also been carrying the 20-year-old woman diagnosed earlier this week with swine flu.
Upon arrival at the hospital it was discovered that her seat on the flight had been in close proximity to the young woman, and she was admitted for testing.
The Health Ministry instructed Iberia passengers to agree to a voluntary quarantine for a weeks' time, and it is now being determined whether the 60-year-old woman adhered to the ministry's guidelines and refrained from visiting public spaces.
The young woman who was also on the flight was returning to Israel after trekking in Mexico for several months. She is currently being treated at the Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv. She is the fourth confirmed case of H1N1 in Israel, but the only patient still hospitalized. The three other patients have
already made a full recovery and were released to their homes.
The number of confirmed swine flu cases the world over rose to over 1,000 on Monday. Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan, announced that the virus has spread to 20 countries so far, including Israel.
The WHO also said, however, that there are no plans to elevate the pandemic alert phase to 6 – meaning a global epidemic.
