Malaysia confirms first case of swine flu, a student who was in US

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has confirmed its first case of swine flu, a 21-year-old student who recently returned from the United States.

A statement by the Health Ministry's director-general, Dr. Ismail Merican, said the young man was hospitalized on Thursday after suffering from fever, sore throat and body aches. He had returned to Malaysia from the United States on Wednesday.

Friday's statement said tests confirmed that he was infected with the A(H1N1) virus. He is receiving anti-viral treatment and is in stable condition.

Ismail said the ministry is in touch with his family members to ensure that he did not infect them, but they have not been placed under quarantine. He also urged all passengers on the Malaysia Airlines flight from Newark on Wednesday to contact the ministry.