The second case of the H1N1 type A swine flu virus has been confirmed in Poland.

The infected man returned from a two-month stay in the United States with symptoms of the virus.

The sick man's closest family, a friend with whom he recently met, as well as two medical personnel are also under observation.

“These measures are to isolate the sick in order to prevent the spread of infection. We also want to break the chain of infection. That's why we observe all the persons who were in touch with the infected person, especially his closest family,” said head of the local sanitary services, Andrzej Biliński.

The patient has asked to remain anonymous. Epidemiological services are trying to contact all the other passengers that flew on the same plane from the US as the man.

The first case of swine flu in Poland was detected on 2 May. The carrier was a 58-year-old woman from Tarnobrzeg, central Poland who had returned from the US. The women’s symptoms were not serious and after a shirt stay in hospital she was discharged. (jn/pg)