Philippines records first case of new flu

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines has recorded its first case of the new H1N1 flu virus, a 10-year-old girl who had returned from a trip to the United States and Canada, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said on Thursday.

The Filipina returned on May 18 and was brought to hospital after complaining of a fever, sore throat and a cough the next day, Duque told reporters. He said the girl was confirmed to be suffering from H1N1 on Wednesday but was recovering in hospital.

According to an earlier report, the girl was stopped at the airport, but Duque said she did not have a fever when she disembarked. Neither of her parents, who were with her, showed any signs of illness, he added.

"There is no community level outbreak in the country, and measures are being taken by the government to prevent transmission," he said.

The government was contacting people who were on the same flight and has asked the family of the girl to put themselves in quarantine until they were declared free of the virus, he said.

The Philippines has said it has so far tested 77 people who showed flu-like symptoms when returning from overseas. Seven are still under observation, health officials said.