Coach suspected with H1N1 infection quarantined: BWF

Hyderabad: The Badminton World Federation today admitted that a Malaysian coach with suspected symptoms of H1N1 virus was quarantined but said initial examination ruled out swine flu and a confirmed report would be available within the next two days.The governing body was tight-lipped about the identity of the victim but disclosed he has been put under strict

surveillance in Andhra Pradesh Chest Hospital here. "The coach has reported fever and sore throat and so as a precautionary measure he was sent to a city hospital and initial investigation suggested there is no connection with the H1N1 virus," BWF COO Thomas Lund told reporters here. "He is fine and doesn`t have fever now. He has improved but we don`t want to take chances and so he has been kept under examination and a confirmed report will come out within 48 hours," Lund said. Asked about the identity of the coach, Lund said "because it`s not proved yet, we would not like to mention his name as it can affect the victim`s family". Malaysia have arrived with separate coaches for singles and doubles team. Consultant and Head of Department of Emergency Medicine, Apollo hospital Dr Mahesh Joshi said the chance of his contracting H1N1 virus infection is very minimum. "The degree of suspicion that he has the virus is very low but I feel we should rather completely rule it out than sitting on it and so the coach has been put under survellience," Joshi said. "To ensure 100 per cent safety of the players and officials, the three coaches who were staying in the same room with the victim were isolated from the rest and were put under examination. Their temperature would be monitored every two hours," he said. The Gachibowli stadium turned almost into a medical unit with police officials, sponsors and even some journalist wearing masks fearing a possible contact with the virus. With the matches in full swing, a high turn around of spectators are expected but Thomas said there won`t be any screening of the public as of now. "Spectators won`t be screened as of now as it is not confirmed whether it is swine flu or not. Moreover, there is no way the players and officials can be contacted with the general people," Thomas said. Thomas said there was a team managers` meeting were the various officials of the respective squads were informed of the development and there hasn`t been any concern shown by any team. Badminton Association of India President V K verma also assured that there is adequate arrangement to deal with any medical contingency. Bureau Report