Salwit Tongper, who returned from the UK on August 3, was admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital with cough, cold and fever. "We had sent his throat swab samples to the Kolkata-based National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases. We got the report today. Tongper is H1N1 positive," director of health services (DHS) K H Lakiang said on Tuesday.
Observing that Tongper's case was "imported" and not "indigenous", Lakiang said doctors have been asked to examine the people, including his family members, with whom he came into contact. "If we find any symptoms in them, we will send their throat swabs for tests," he said. "Tongper has been kept in an isolation ward and his condition is improving," the DHS said, urging people not to panic.
On the other hand, Gauranga Paul, another boy from the city who had returned from Bangalore, was also "detained" on Tuesday after he developed influenza-type symptoms. His nasal and throat swabs were also sent for tests. The director said the health department at present has about 2,000 Tamiflu tablets. On Tuesday, the Union health ministry pledged to send 6,000 more tablets to the state.
In the meantime, the Meghalaya health department on Tuesday met officials of government hospitals to review the state's preparedness in combatting the disease. "We have told the government hospitals to set up a separate out-patient department for flu patients," Lakiang said.