Brisbane woman diagnosed with swine flu

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Brisbane woman diagnosed with swine flu
Marissa CalligerosMay 25, 2009 - 2:00PM
Queensland Health is searching for a number of people who sat in close proximity to the state's latest swine flu victim on a flight from Los Angeles at the weekend.

Authorities have already contacted 14 people aboard the plane but are eager to get in touch with another 36 passengers.

The 20-year-old woman, who reported feeling unwell when she returned to Brisbane on Saturday night from the US, has brought the number of confirmed swine flu cases across Australia to 18.




The Paddington student, who did not wish to be named, said she had contracted a mild case of the virus after enjoying a romantic New York holiday with her boyfriend.

"I went to New York with my boyfriend for a nice getaway, but the virus only affected our last two days there and it wasn't even really that bad," she said.

From her home where she and her boyfriend remain in quarantine, the woman told brisbanetimes.com.au she reported her illness on a Health Declaration Card upon her arrival in Brisbane, but did not suspect "for one minute" that she had contracted swine flu.

"I really didn't think that I had anything other than a normal flu. It's not really life-threatening or anything and I'm not bedridden," she said.

"Now I'm just really trying to get better and rest."

The woman's greatest regret was that her four housemates have also been put in quarantine.

"I feel bad because all my housemates had to leave the house. But I guess it's best to be safe rather than sorry."

She could not confirm where in the US she had contracted the virus.

The student said she greatly appreciated the help of Queensland Health officers throughout the testing process.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said people sitting in rows 50 to 54 inclusive aboard QF16 on Saturday were at an increased risk of contracting the virus, although the woman wore a face mask for the entire time she was on the plane.

"The woman became sick before she boarded the plane so she was definitely infectious while she was on board," Ms Young said.

"Her travelling partner tested negative for the virus."

Parents of any school-age children on the flight have been advised to keep their children at home for seven days in line with the latest advice from the Commonwealth.

Ms Young refuted suggestions the woman should not have flown after developing flu-like symptoms in the US.

"We would not stop people returning home to Australia at any point," Ms Young said.

"There is no need to limit travel at this time. The World Health Organisation has not recommended closure of borders."

In Queensland, authorities have tested 600 people for the virus, two of whom have tested positive, since the global outbreak began.

Of the 18 confirmed cases in Australia, 11 are in Victoria, two in South Australia, two in New South Wales, two in Queensland and one in Western Australia.

Thornbury High School, in Melbourne's north, will be closed for one week, Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews confirmed yesterday.

A 15-year-old boy from the school caught the virus from his friend, a 12-year-old male student who fell ill last week.

The Thornbury school joins two Melbourne schools where H1N1 virus cases have been detected with hundreds of parents having to unexpectedly deal with children at home this week.

Clifton Hill Primary School has been closed since last Tuesday and is due to reopen on Thursday, and one class of 25 students from Mill Park Secondary College is isolated in their homes.


http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/qld-news/brisbane-woman-diagnosed-with-swine-flu-20090525-bjpo.html