Swine flu cast its shadow over World Badminton Champs

Hyderabad, Aug 11 :-

 The dreaded virus influenza A (H1N1) cast its shadow over the World Badminton Championship here on Tuesday with the doubles coach of the Malaysian team showing suspected symptoms of the viral disease that has killed eight people in India so far.

Organising Committee Director and Indian team coach Pullela Gopichand said that Malaysian coach, Misbun Sidek, had shown Swine Flu symptoms. His samples have been sent for testing and reports are likely to be available by Wednesday. “We don't want to take any chance. We are taking all precautions," Pullela Gopichand, said.

He said that a player from Singapore was also hospitalised on Monday evening due to ill-health. Doctors said he had no visible symptoms of Swine Flu. The Malaysian coach was found with Swine Flu symptoms at a time when the virus has created a scare in parts of India, claiming eight lives.

Earlier, Jeremy Gan has been quarantined at the Andhra Pradesh Chest Hospital, the nodal centre to deal with Swine Flu cases. His samples have been sent for testing for influenza A (H1N1) virus, the doctors treating him said.

Andhra Pradesh has recorded 76 Swine Flu cases. India's first confirmed Swine Flu case was detected here on May 16. 

The championship is the first of the series of world-class sporting events India is hosting ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

More than 250 players from 42 countries are competing in the six-day event that began on Monday.