The test results from the World Health Organisations (WHO) laboratory in Australia for the first suspected swine flu case in the Solomon Islands has returned negative.

The patient was a local studying at a university in Australia. He was quarantined at the National Referral Hospitals Isolation Ward for two weeks and was discharged on Saturday.

Chairman of the Swine Flu Preparedness Taskforce and Under Secretary Health Improvement, Dr Cedric Alependava, announced the negative status during a meeting with the local media yesterday afternoon.

Despite the good news, the swine flu preparedness taskforce say they will remain vigilant and will continue to be on the lookout for arrivals showing flu-like symptoms at all of the country's entry points.

Dr Cedric says the illness is still a pandemic and this warrants careful consideration of all arrivals even though Solomon Islands may have been spared this time around.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that another patient is currently being quarantined at his residence in Honiara.

Dr Cedric confirms the patient is also awaiting test results from the WHO Laboratory in Australia to determine his status. Dr Cedric says the patient is an expatriate who lives alone.