Rio-returned athlete Sudha Singh hospitalised in Bengaluru, tested positive for swine flu

Indian athlete Sudha Singh, who returned from Rio Olympics with fever and body ache last week, has been admitted to a private hospital. The doctors have put Singh in a week-long quarantine after she was tested positive for swine flu.

Earlier, doctors feared Zika virus, but the test was found negative. 

"Sudha Singh is stable as of now, we have started her treatment," said Dr. Ananth Padmanabhan, Fortis hospital, Bengaluru to ANI. 

Earlier in the day, M Shyam Sunder, Regional Director, Sports Authority of India (SAI) had told PTI, “Sudha Singh arrived here in Bengaluru on August 20 with fever and body ache. She was admitted to one of the chains of Fortis Hospital the same day. The athlete is undergoing treatment and medication for suspected zika virus.”

Sudha had participated in the steeplechase competition at Rio.

Giving an update on the condition of the athlete, Sunder said officials from health departments of state and central governments visited the hospital and gave the required medical help and advice.

The doctors have collected the blood samples of Sudha and have sent them to a virology institute for Zika testing, Sunder said.
“The doctors have taken the blood samples to avoid risk factors. Hopefully, it is not Zika that Sudha is suffering from,” he said.
As per doctors, Sudha is recuperating and feeling better than when she was admitted on August 20, Sunder said.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has decided to bear the expense of Singh’s treatment. According to media reports, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he has instructed Karnataka Olympic Association President and MLC K Govinda Raju, who is also the Chief Minister's Parliamentary Secretary to visit the hospital and ensure best medical care for Sudha Singh.

In May, Sudha broke the national record in women’s 3000m steeplechase event to finish eighth in the second leg of the prestigious Diamond League Meet in Shanghai.

She had qualified for 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 (IOA) had issued a detailed advisory to all the athletes and support staff in view of the zika virus scare in Brazil.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus which can cause crippling birth defects and also affects neurological system.

(With PTI Inputs)