NATIONAL Under-17 footballer Dillon Kirton was yesterday rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope after he complained of experiencing influenza-like symptoms.
At the hospital, Kirton was given a throat swab, which was sent to the Public Health Laboratory to be tested, in addition to barrier nursing, just in case he was contagious, the source said.
When the Express contacted Under-17 team manager Christopher Gouveia yesterday, he confirmed Kirton had been taken to hospital. He said as a precautionary measure, the player's father took him to Mt Hope to get tested, just to rule out the influenza A H1N1 virus.
"I don't know what he has, but I know it is not the (swine) flu. The doctors ran some tests and when it came back negative, they sent him home," Gouveia added.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Health said Kirton was properly tested and examined by a doctor at the hospital, so there was no reason to be concerned.
The source, however, said while Kirton was given a clean bill of health, he is required to return to the hospital for a check-up in three days.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry also insisted that individuals wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
As of yesterday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said 21 countries have officially reported 1,085 cases of the influenza A (H1N1) infection. But while they have not reduced the pandemic level from five, they urged healthy people to travel internationally for emergencies only. For people developing symptoms following international travel, WHO has asked that they seek medical attention in line with guidance from national authorities.