CARACAS (Venezuela) - VENEZUELA'S health ministry is reporting the country's first H1N1 flu case: a 22-year-old man who arrived on a flight from Panama earlier this week.

The ministry says the man is receiving the proper treatment and has been temporarily confined to his home. Officials did not identify him.

The flu victim arrived on a Copa Airlines flight from Panama late on Monday. Ministry officials say the other 79 passengers on the flight are being contacted to determine their condition.

The ministry also announced on Thursday that six other people who had close contact with the patient are being closely monitored. -- AP