Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Just as the organisers of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) championship were heaving a sigh of relief after taking all precautions against a perceived threat from terror attacks, they found themselves grappling with the swine flu scare.

On Monday, a coach of a team had to be sent for tests after he developed flu-like symptoms.

On Tuesday evening, one of the Thailand doubles players, who was to play against the Indian pair of Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal, was also put under observation after he exhibited similar symptoms.

Medical authorities, however, found him to be suffering from just a headache. Despite clearance, the player has withdrawn himself from the tournament.

The coach, Misbun Sidek of Malaysia, was admitted to the A.P. Government General and Chest Hospital and isolated. Blood samples were drawn on Tuesday morning and sent to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), New Delhi, with a request for screening on priority.

According to hospital doctors, the coach did not have any classic symptom of swine flu but for sore throat. “However, in view of the swine flu situation in Malaysia, we have quarantined him and are awaiting reports from the NICD,” said K. Subhakar, State Coordinator for swine flu. “If he tests positive, we will have to screen all the people who were in contact with him at the Gachibowli stadium,” he said.

BWF chief operations officer Thomas Lund told reporters that the measures were a standard practice for people showing flu-like symptoms. The coach’s condition had improved overnight and the results of the tests were awaited. “At the moment, the present symptoms indicate that the likelihood of his being H1N1 positive is minimal,” Mr. Lund said.

Dr. Mahesh Joshi of Apollo Hospitals said that when the coach arrived at the airport he did not report any symptoms. “These must have developed later. As part of the precautionary measures, we have stepped up surveillance at three centres where the participants are put up. We have requested the team managers to ensure compliance in reporting any new cases,” he said.

The authorities have decided to station a medical team and an ambulance at the stadium during the championship.