A 15-YEAR-OLD Singaporean student studying in India has become the island's eighth case of Influenza A (H1N1).

He is also the first to be picked up by thermal scanners installed at Changi Airport.

The boy had been in Orlando and Atlanta in the United States on a school trip from May 17 to last Sunday.

His fever was detected by the airport scanners when he arrived in Singapore on Monday from Atlanta via Mumbai.

He had been feverish during the flight and was seated at 39K on Singapore Airlines Flight SQ421.

A Health Ministry (MOH) statement said the boy was taken by a 993 ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and is now warded at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH).

He was taken there early yesterday morning. Laboratory results at 2.40pm on the same day confirmed he was infected by Influenza A (H1N1).

Dr Thoon Koh Cheng, a consultant with the infectious disease service at the department of paediatric medicine of KKH, told The Straits Times the boy was immediately isolated when he arrived.

He remains in the isolation ward, away from the general public, Dr Thoon added.

MOH said contact tracing is ongoing.

Passengers within rows 37 to 41 on the same flight who have not been contacted by the health authorities should call its hotline on 1800-3339999.

Read the full story in The Straits Times on Wednesday.

juditht@sph.com.sg