One of the suspected victims of swine flu currently under observation
in Cartagena is a U.S. tourist, Colombian health authorities
announced..
The tourist, whose identity has not been revealed, arrived in Cartagena on a cruise ship. He was hospitalized and remains under observation.
This is the second suspected case of swine flu in Cartagena. The first is a local man who arrived from Mexico several days ago. He remains under observation in his home.
Blood and pharynx samples were taken from the two men. They will be sent to the National Institute of Health In Bogota and then on to a lab in Atlanta in the U.S.
The Director of the local health department (Dadis) Lucio Rangel said there is no cause for alarm at this stage. The results of the tests are expected to be known by this Thursday.
Bogotá health authorities are monitoring ten travelers with suspicious symptoms. The capital’s airport imposed rigid security measures to prevent the flu entering Colombia.