Swine flu: surge in requests for tests

The first outbreaks of Swine Flu in Malta have predictably brought about a surge of people asking to be tested for the virus, but no one else tested positive overnight, Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea told timesofmalta.com this morning.

Four people who had formed part of a group of 23 rugby players were confirmed as having Swine Flu yesterday and are being treated at their homes under quarantine. They are not seriously ill. The group had travelled to Spain and returned from Girona on Tuesday.

Among other people who were swabbed were some members of the same group and other people who feared having contracted the virus while travelling abroad.

Mr Galea said the swabs of the confirmed cases have been sent to the World Health Organisation, which is monitoring the spread of the virus worldwide and examining the outbreaks.

He expressed his appreciation to the Spanish Ambassador to Malta, Maria Isabel Vicandi Plaza, for having personally contacted the health authorities twice to offer her country's help.