By MIN KHET MAUNG | RANGOON — The Burmese military government has confirmed the country’s first case of swine flu (H1N1 influenza) after a 13-year-old girl was tested positive for the virus, state radio and television reported on Saturday.
 While most of the Rangoon city dwellers are ignorant of the pandemic outbreak, some people like these two men at a bus-top are trying to prevent the possible infection, wearing the masks whenever they go among the public. (Photo: Min Khet Maung/ The Irrawaddy) |
After arriving home, however, she developed a deep cough, and a teacher and her parents took her to Yangon (Rangoon) General Hospital.
The National Health Laboratory confirmed that the girl was infected with H1N1 on Saturday.
She is now under intensive care at the hospital, and her family and close friends are confined to their homes to prevent the possible spread of the virus, state-media reported.
Additionally, all of the 91 passengers who were on the same flight and some airport staff are also under surveillance.
The Ministry of Health said it will keep the public updated if other people are infected with the virus and urged the public to take part in preventive measures.
"We encourage the people to fully participate in the preventive measures and to find suspected cases in their communities and report them without fail, because the role of civilians is of vital importance," one health official said, noting that the person who reported the 13-year-old girl was a teacher.
Burmese media functions under strict censorship. Public speculation has centered on whether or not the government has suppressed news of suspected or confirmed cases of the virus.
Government media failed to report on a suspected patient at Yangon General Hospital on June 22. The patient was later tested negative for his virus.
That case was reported by a weekly publication, raising speculation that the virus would soon be confirmed in Burma.
Meanwhile the Thai Health Ministry has confirmed 80 new cases of swine flu, most of them students in the capital, Bangkok.
Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Prat Boonyavongvirot said Sunday that 68 of the cases are primary and high school students and the rest are people who had come in contact with them. Prat said none are in serious condition.
Prat also said authorities are not recommending that schools be closed.
The ministry said 1,289 people have contracted swine flu in Thailand. Two have died and 20 remain hospitalized.
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