A fifth swine flu patient was found in Sri Lanka yesterday, Health authorities said.

Dr Anura Senanayake of the Angoda Fever Hospital said that the latest victim was a nine-year-old girl. She too had come from Australia with her family on a Singapore Airlines flight.

"The victim, who is from Battaramulla had arrived yesterday and we have given her medical treatment," he said.

There were 264 passengers who had arrived along with this patient. They have been instructed to remain in their homes for one week to determine whether they too had been infected, Dr. Senanayake said, adding that health authorities of relevant areas too had been informed to visit them.

The four other swine flu victims who were detected in Sri Lanka, were also from Australia. The first patient has been discharged from hospital, he said.