Dhaka - Authorities in Bangladesh have confirmed the first case of swine flu in the country, the government said Friday.

The first case was confirmed on Thursday when a passenger travelling by air from the US tested positive for the virus, the Health Ministry said in press statement.

The passenger, whose name was not disclosed, returned to Dhaka with a febrile illness. Medical teams at the airport, deployed in the wake of global pandemic of swine flu, tested him for the virus.

Appropriate measures have been taken to treat the person, the statement added.

The World Health Organization declared the swine flu pandemic on June 11.

The deadly virus has left at least 167 people dead and over 40,000 others infected across the globe.

A total of 109 people have died in Mexico alone, where the virus was first detected in April before spreading to the rest of the world. (dpa)