Kuwait detects H1N1 flu cases among US soldiers

Kuwait has detected H1N1 flu among US soldiers who passed through the Gulf emirate in transit, a health official said on Saturday, adding that there are no cases among Kuwaitis.

Undersecretary of Health Ibrahim al-Abdulhadi told the official KUNA news agency the unspecified number of soldiers were immediately isolated at the US base in Arifjan, 70 kilometres (42 miles) south of the capital.

He said they were given the necessary medication and that most had left the country.

An unspecified number of others were kept for treatment at the base hospital. No details were given on their condition.

Abdulhadi said Kuwait itself was free of the disease.

About 15,000 US soldiers are stationed in the Gulf state, which is also used as a transit point for thousands of US soldiers going to and from neighbouring Iraq.

The US embassy in Kuwait said it was aware of the cases, adding that the patients have been isolated and did not come into contact with the Kuwaiti public.

"We are aware that H1N1 influenza cases have been tentatively confirmed among US military personnel assigned abroad, including soldiers transiting via US military bases in Kuwait," the embassy said in a statement.

"The individuals concerned have been isolated and treated by US military doctors at US military facilities. They have not come into any contact with the Kuwaiti population," it said.

The US government and the government of Kuwait have closely coordinated monitoring and response measures, it added.

The number of confirmed influenza A(H1N1) infections worldwide stood at 12,022 on Saturday, including 86 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.

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