Ireland confirms first case of H1N1 flu

By Padraic Halpin

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland confirmed its first case of H1N1 flu on Saturday.

Authorities had classified the case -- a man from the populous east of the country, recently returned from Mexico -- as probable on Thursday.

"Laboratory test results, previously reported as probable influenza A (H1N1), have now been confirmed," Ireland's chief medical officer Tony Holohan said in a statement.

"The case was originally reported on 30th April and relates to an adult male in the eastern region who had recently returned from Mexico."

Authorities said earlier this week they had antiviral drugs in stock to treat almost half the population and advised people to avoid unnecessary travel to the affected regions.

"All appropriate clinical and public health actions have been taken. The individual is recovering well."

The virus, which threatens to become a pandemic, is thought to have started in a village east of Mexico City. Mexico cut its suspected death toll from the H1N1 flu to up to 101 from as many as 176, as dozens of test samples came back negative.