An Emirati who arrived from the US was tested positive for H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health, said on Tuesday.

The man, who is currently being treated in hospital, is said to be stable.

Dr Hassan said that all passengers onboard the flight that carried the confirmed case were checked up and tested negative.

He urged UAE citizens and residents to inform health authorities on suspicion of any symptoms of swine flu.

He also underlined the precautions taken by the Ministry and other concerned authorities in the UAE to deal with any suspected case with utmost care and highest degrees of transparency.


"Should there be any case (of swine flu), we will strictly follow the procedure recommended by the World Health Organisation, and the plans put in place by the Higher Supervisory Committee on Combating Swine Flue," he added.

Jordan, Qatar and Yemen reported on Tuesday their first cases of swine flu, all in arrivals from abroad, widening the scope of the disease across the region.

Together with new cases reported in several other Middle East countries afflicted by the virus, the number of people infected in the region has risen to around 90.

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