Israel confirms first case of swine flu

JERUSALEM - The Israeli health ministry confirmed Tuesday the first case of swine flu in the country.

A 26-year-old man who had returned from Mexico with flu-like symptoms was diagnosed with the virus, Israel Radio reported.

The man was in stable condition after two days of quarantine in a Netanya hospital, but was not isolated from other patients, said the report.

Another Israeli man has also been quarantined until further notice in a hospital in Kfar Sava, after he returned from Mexico with flu-like symptoms.

Israel Health Ministry Tuesday decided to raise the preparedness level for swine flu from Phase 3 to Phase 4.