Gambhir, Dhananjay quarantined over swine flu fear
By IANSSaturday, December 12, 2009
CHANDIGARH - After fast bowler Sreesanth tested positive for H1N1, health officials here Saturday quarantined opening batsman Gautam Gambhir and another Indian squad member Dhananjay for suspected swine flu.
Gambhir and Dhananjay were exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Therefore, we have quarantined them in their hotel rooms and sent their samples for test, G.C. Bansal, the Chandigarh officiating nodal officer for swine flu, told IANS.
Thier condition is being monitored “and we would get their test report by evening”, he said.
Besides, Indian team manager Mayank Parekh was admitted in an isolated ward of Fortis hospital in neighbouring Mohali, 10 km from here.
He was admitted late Friday with high fever and cough. We sent his samples and we await his test report, Fortis hospital director A.R. Banerjee told IANS.
Earlier, S. Sreesanth tested positive for swine flu.
Sreesanth was admitted to Fortis hospital here with complaints of sore throat, body ache and high fever Friday. His nasal and throat swab samples tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
In the meantime, Punjab health officials had given Tamiflu tablets to all the people, including players, who came in contact with Sreesanth.
“Taking precautionary measures, we have given Tamiflu tablets to all people, including players and officials, who came in contact with Sreesanth. If any player exhibits flu-like symptoms then we will immediately collect his throat and nasal swab samples for tests,” Deepak Bhatia, nodal officer of swine flu in Punjab, told IANS.
“Sreesanth is admitted in an isolated ward of the hospital and he is recuperating well. He may be discharged in the next three-four days,” said Bhatia.
Sreesanth will not be able to play Saturday’s Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka. He had missed the first Twenty20 at Nagpur Wednesday due to an upset stomach.
He had accompanied the Indian team to Chandigarh on Thursday in the same flight and had come in contact with almost all the players and Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) officials.
PCA authorities are confident Sreesanth’s health will not affect Saturday’s match.
“So far no player from India or Sri Lanka has exhibited any flu-like symptoms. If we come across any such thing, then proper screening will be done,” G.S. Walia, the PCA joint secretary, told IANS.
Both the teams will play their second Twenty20 match under floodlights at the PCA stadium, 10 km from Chandigarh. Sri Lanka beat India in the Nagpur match by 29 runs.
