Rio Olympics returned Sudha Singh tests positive for swine flu, not Zika

Bengaluru: Indian steeplechase runner Sudha Singh, who returned from Rio Olympics, has been tested positive for swine flu on Tuesday evening and will be out of action for at least two months. Earlier, she was suspected to have contracted Zika virus.

"Sudha Singh who has been undergoing treatment for a suspected Zika virus is suffering from H1N1, known as swine flu virus," Dr Sarala of Sports Authority of India said.

Dr Sarala also said Sudha will be out of competitive action for the next two to three months, but subject to how fast she recovers from H1N1 virus infection.

"It will take Sudha Singh two to three weeks to get discharged from the hospital, depending upon her health condition," she said.

The 30-year-old had complained about body pain after returning from Rio a few days back and was admitted to a Bengaluru hospital.

The doctors had collected the blood samples of Sudha and had sent them to Virology Institute in Pune for Zika virus testing.

"The doctors had taken blood samples to avoid risk factors. The samples were sent to Virology Institute in Pune and results reached us today afternoon. The report confirmed Sudha was suffering from H1N1 virus," Dr Sarala said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state government will bear the medical expenses of Sudha and wished her speedy recovery, according to a communique from Chief Minister Office.

The CMO also asked Karnataka Olympic Association President Govinda Raju to visit the hospital and ensure best medical care for her.

Sudha is one of the top female steeplechasers in India, and also holds the national record for women’s 3,000m race, which she broke at the prestigious Diamond League Meet in Shanghai, earlier this year.

Sudha had qualified for the Rio Games during the Federation Cup National Athletics Championships in New Delhi in April, where she clocked nine minutes 26.55 seconds.

Before the commencement of the Rio Olympics, the Indian Olympic Association had issued a detailed advisory to all the athletes and support staff in view of the Zika virus scare in Brazil.

Swine flu is a contagious disease, and can spread through the air, especially if a non-infected person breathes in the virus that has been exhaled by a patient by sneezing or coughing.