Saudi boy in Hong Kong has flu, not Sars-like virus
A Saudi boy in a Hong Kong hospital has the flu, not the deadly Sars-like virus that emerged in the Middle East last month, the Centre for Health Protection confirmed on Monday, when the four-year-old tested negative for novel coronavirus.
The four-year-old tested negative for novel coronavirus – which has killed one man in Saudi Arabia and left a second critically ill – a centre spokesman said.
The patient is not a case of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus infection
“Respiratory specimens taken from the boy tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus but negative for novel coronavirus associated with severe respiratory disease,” he said.
“The patient is not a case of severe respiratory disease associated with novel coronavirus infection.”
The boy was originally classified as a suspected case of novel coronavirus, when he was admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital’s emergency unit on Sunday with fever, cough and vomiting. He was later admitted to Queen Mary Hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
The youngster arrived in Hong Kong with his father, from Jeddah, on Wednesday. His father had a fever two days ago but has recovered.