The Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed that the first case of the dreaded Swine Flu (H1N1) has been recorded in Nigeria.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant (Communi-cation) to the minister, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, yesterday said: “The first case of the Influenza A (H1N1) otherwise known as Swine Flu has been reported in Nigeria of a nine-year-old American girl who resides in Lagos.”

The girl had manifested symptoms suspected to be those of swine flu such as fever, sore throat, nasal congestion and nausea, and had been taken to the American Consular clinic in Lagos.

Before treatment was admitted to her, nasal specimens were taken for routine tests.

“Subsequently, the girl recovered fully with symptomatic treatment after five days of duration of illness,” the statement said.

Ojuolape said sequel to the discovery, medical checks were performed on other members of the girl’s household and the students of the school she attends but none tested positive to the disease.

The girl’s mother was said to have had mild symptoms of the disease but had recovered fully, while all others who had regular contacts with the girl were tested and found negative.

The Lagos State Ministry of Health whose domain the first case of the flu was recorded was said to have carried out surveillance, performing medical checks and screening residents but has not discovered any other victim.