Nine members of an elite unit with the Combat Engineering Corps have been diagnosed with swine flu, military officials permit publicizing on Friday. It appears soldiers who were assigned to escort Birthright groups from North America were infected from the visitors, passing it along to others.

They are reported in light condition, all instructed to remain home until they back to health.

In addition, 11 IDF sailors were recently infected with swine flu, all members of a patrol boat crew. Another 18 soldiers were checked, suspected of having contracted the flu.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)