Fourth swine flu case confirmed in Estonia

The newest case involves a man who has recently returned from a trip to the United States. The day after his arrival in Estonia, he developed a high fever and flu symptoms.

The head of the office of epidemiological readiness at the HPI Irina Dontshenk, said that it was good that people who have traveled abroad seek medical attention at the first sign of flu symptoms, the only way to stop the spread of the virus.

The laboratory for infectious diseases of the Estonian Health Protection Inspectorate has tested 29 samples for possible infection with A(H1N1), also dubbed swine flu, four of which have turned out positive, since the end of April.

Two people were reportedly infected while traveling the United States and the other two infected by contact with those already sick. The first three patients have been treated successfully and released from the hospital.

Currently worldwide, over 25,000 cases of the swine flu virus have been confirmed, in 76 countries, 26 in Europe.