Turkey declares first domestic swine flu case, bringing total to 23

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

A total of 22 people, including 14 Turks and eight foreigners, have brought the A(H1N1) virus into the country from abroad, the ministry said in a statement. 

But one Turkish national appeared to have caught the virus in the country, the statement added. The ministry gave no further details about the patient except to say that the person concerned was in satisfactory condition.

World Health Organization figures show the virus has infected more than 44,000 people around the world, resulting in 180 deaths since late March.

The WHO declared a swine flu pandemic on June 11.

Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag said later on Saturday that authorities do not expect a major spread of swine flu during the summer, adding that all necessary precautions had been taken in Turkey.

"We do not expect any serious spread this summer. Human-to-human transmission is anticipated, but we have taken very cautious measures over the last couple of months," Akdag was quoted by the state-run Anatolian Agency as telling reporters.

Akdag said the Health Ministry would obtain the swine flu vaccine by the time autumn arrived and that it would start vaccinating individuals at risk.

Photo: DHA