The samples of the suspected case of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) in Mangalore have been tested negative, according to HS Shivakumar, Dakshina Kannada District Health and Family Welfare Officer.
Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, he said the samples of throat swab and blood of the suspected case, which was reported on May 22, were sent to the KMC Hospital in Manipal and to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV).
The patient was returning from Saudi Arabia after pilgrimage.
The Health Department received the report from KMC Hospital, according to which the samples tested negative for MERS and H1N1, and tested positive for common cold.
Shivakumar said that a team of one doctor and two para-medics has begun work on screening passengers coming from Gulf countries. Most flights from these destinations arrive between 3.15 am and 10.15 am, he said.