Finland Confirms First Two Swine Flu Cases
Uutiset sikainfluenssasta ovat kiihdyttäneet hengityssuojien ja desifiointiaineiden kauppaa esimerkiksi Kokkolassa.
Image: YLE / Kalle Niskala
On Tuesday health officials confirmed the country's first two cases of swine flu. The two infected Finns returned from a trip to Mexico City and Cancun via Amsterdam on May 6. Their flight arrived at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at 9:45 p.m. Health officials urge people who were on the same flight to contact their health care provider if they begin to show symptoms of fever or respiratory illness.
The first of the patients became ill on May 6. The second did not show symptoms until a couple of days later, after attending school at the Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Kerava, north of Helsinki.
Both patients are at home, and are having food delivered to them. The patients and other students at the school have been instructed on hygiene precautions.
The risk of infection to H1N1 lasts about a week from exposure to the virus, health authorities said.
Passengers on the Helsinki-bound flight from Amsterdam who develop flu-like symptoms by Wednesday, May 13 are asked to contact their health care providers if they develop flu-like symptoms.
Officials Urge Calm
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health says the spread of the virus to Finland was expected and that authorities are well prepared to combat the virus. The ministry added that people should not worry unnecessarily.
The spread of the flu to Finland follows the first confirmed Nordic cases being found this month in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
The World Health Organisation has confirmed some 5,000 infections of H1N1 flu virus worldwide.
YLE