HYDERABAD: Even as a security threat controversy seemed to hang over the Badminton World Championship, the organisers and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) had to grapple with swine flu scare on the second day of the tournament. A Malaysian coach reported mild fever and a sore throat on Monday afternoon and was isolated.
The coach was taken to a local hospital for tests. The tests are being conducted and the results would be known on Wednesday.
“The measures taken to date are precautionary and are standard practice for people presenting with flu like symptoms,” said CH Jaya Kumari, the district medical and health officer.
Official sources said the coach’s condition had improved overnight and symptoms indicated that the chances of it being a case of influenza H1N1 were small.
Although the BWF refused to name the coach, there were unconfirmed reports of Jermey Gan, the mixed doubles coach, of having fever.
Asked if teams were screened at the airport, Mahesh Joshi, Consultant & Head, Department of Emergency Medicine, said, “I’m sure all the players, including the Malaysian coach, were screened. At that time they had no symptoms of any fever.”
Meanwhile, there were unconfirmed reports of Thailand’s doubles player Patipat Chalardchaleam having fever. In fact, Chalardchaleam and Nuttaphon Narkthong conceded their men’s doubles match on Tuesday.
