Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's health authorities on Friday announced the first confirmed case of swine flu in the country. The 21-year-old male student had just returned from the United States on Wednesday when he complained of fever, a sore throat and aches, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
The man was admitted to a hospital in the central Selangor state on Thursday, and tests confirmed Friday that he was infected by the A(H1N1) virus.
Anti-viral drugs have since been administered, and the man remains under medical care and in stable condition, the statement said.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the case made Malaysia the 36th country to be infected by the virus.
"Malaysia is now on high alert," Liow was quoted as saying by the Star online news portal.
The ministry urged the public not to panic, saying health officers are tracing family and friends who may have come into contact with the patient after his return.
The government also appealed to all 192 passengers on the same flight as the patient, who departed from Newark Airport, to seek treatment immediately.
Friday's statement said six people have so far been placed in isolation wards pending the outcome of their blood results after exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
Malaysia is the second Southeast Asian country to confirm the swine flu infection, after Thailand.
