BENGALURU (TIP): The Sports Authority of India‘s fears came true when marathon runner OP Jaisha, who left the campus as soon as she landed from Rio last week, tested positive for H1N1on August 25.
Jaisha, who fainted after the women’s marathon at the Olympics owing to dehydration, submitted her blood samples on Wednesday, four days after she returned to the city along with middle distance runner Sudha Singh last Saturday. Test results confirmed that she was also suffering from the flu.
“OP Jaisha has tested positive for H1N1 and has been admitted to Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road, following a recommendation made by Dr Sunanda (district surveillance officer of the state health and family welfare department). Her reports came from NIMHANS today and she has already been put on antiviral drugs. She will be provided all support from our side till she gets completely well,” Dr Harshvardhan, Karnataka surveillance officer, told media.
While Sudha, who complained of fever and bodyache, was the first to test positive for H1N1 after she was admitted to a hospital hours after she had landed in the city, Jaisha was keen on going back to her home town in Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment. She left SAI soon after but did not return to Kerala. She was staying at her friend’s house close to the campus, it is learnt.
On Wednesday, doctors from the state health department and surveillance as well SAI officials tracked her down and convinced her to submit her blood samples. A day later, they admitted her to hospital. The athlete, who has been ill and racked by cough ever since she landed in the city, has not fully recovered from dehydration, it is learnt. Doctors at the hospital have been told that she needs to be treated for electrolyte imbalance too, sources told media.