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Oscar Arias, president of Costa Rica, sick with influenza A (H1N1)

Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias announced this week that he has influenza A (H1N1). Arias is the first head of state known to have contracted the virus.

Arias tested positive for a mild case of influenza A (H1N1) after experiencing influenza-like symptoms for several days, including a sore throat and fever, according to a statement from the Costa Rican government. Some of Arias’s duties have been temporarily handed over to members of the Costa Rican cabinet while he recuperates.

“Apart from the fever and a soar throat, I feel well and in good shape to carry out my work by telecommuting,” Arias said in a statement. “I expect to return to all my duties on Monday.”

There have been 718 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) in Costa Rica, according to a report issued last week by the Costa Rican Ministry of Health.

The president is receiving medical care at his residence and is expected to remain there for a week, his brother and chief of staff Rodrigo Arias said.