Source: Xinhua

04-29-2009 10:11

JERUSALEM, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Health Ministry confirmed Tuesday the first case of swine flu and raised the preparedness level to 4 out of 6.

Tomer Vajim, 26, who had returned from Mexico with flu-like symptoms, was diagnosed positive for the virus, Israel Radio reported.

Vajim was in stable condition after two days of quarantine in Laniado Hospital in Netanya. A decision would soon be made on whether to keep him quarantined at the hospital, said the Radio.

Laniado medical director Avinoam Skolnik told local daily Ha'aretz that Israeli Health Ministry laboratory tests confirmed swine flu, but could not say whether the strain is the same one that appeared in Mexico.

Another Israeli man has also been quarantined until further notice in hospitals in a Kfar Sava, after his travel from Mexico with flu-like symptoms.

Earlier Tuesday, Israel Health Ministry decided to raise the preparedness level for swine flu from Phase 3 to Phase 4.

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