The first case of swine flu this year has been reported in Andhra's Narsapuram in West Godavari district on Sunday, after a 25-year-old man suffering with fever tested positive.
According to The New Indian Express, the 25-year-old had been touring Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad for about 15 days. He returned five days ago to his village, following which he was suffering with a cough and fever.
His family members reportedly took him to a private doctor for treatment, who asked them to take him to either Rajahmundry or Vijayawada, to conduct further tests.
He tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
The medical and health authorities informed people not to panic because all steps had been taken to combat the disease.
Earlier in January, Chittoor district had reported the first swine flu death of the year from Andhra. The victim had gone to Tirupati, and developed swine flu symptoms after her return.
It was also reported that nearly 14 suspected swine flu cases were reported in January alone in in Visakhapatnam.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus, that infects the respiratory tract of pigs and results in cough, decreased appetite, nasal secretions, and listless behavior.
Swine flu viruses mutate, so that they are easily transmissible among humans.
Swine flu also known as the H1N1 virus spreads when one touches an infected surface or breathes cough and sneeze droplets in the air.
Some of the common symptoms are - cough, sore throat, and body aches. Young children, pregnant women, and older adults are more likely to develop complications.