5:23PM IL: Health officials announced a short time ago that a second man, 49, who is in isolation in Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, has tested positive for swine flu.

The first confirmed case was reported earlier on Tuesday, Tomer Vajim, in his 20s who recently returned from Mexico also, now in isolation in Laniado Hospital in Netanya. Vajim’s 5-year-old niece is now in isolation as well, exhibiting signs of the illness too.

Health Ministry officials on Tuesday moved to a level 4 alert of the 6 levels, stating the nation is prepared for any eventuality and experts are studying cases reported around the world and following reports from the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control in the United States.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening will convene a special session to discuss the situation. He is expected to move responsibility for the situation to the Defense Ministry, and Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai is expected to coordinate between the Health Ministry and various agencies. This will only take place after Independence Day, which is observed tomorrow, Wednesday. In all likelihood the announcement will be made on Thursday.

Government officials appear to be heading towards a more aggressive approach to returning or visiting travelers, to stop them immediately upon their return from Mexico or possibly other areas as well.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)