The fifth influenza A/H1N1 case was detected in Israel on Wednesday since the global outbreak emerged, local news service Ynet reported.

The patient is a 59-year-old woman who was admitted Tuesday to Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya in northern Israel, said the report, adding that she is the first Israeli to have contracted the virus without having visited Mexico.

The woman returned to Israel on Saturday morning from a vacation in Cuba on Iberia Airlines flight 3752, which had also carried a 20-year-old woman diagnosed on Sunday with the H1N1 flu virus.

Upon arrival at the hospital in Nahariya, it was discovered that her seat on the flight had been in close proximity to the young woman, and she was admitted for a test.

Meanwhile, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported that the 20-year-old woman, who is the fourth confirmed case of the novel flu virus in Israel, was released from hospital on Wednesday.

However, she must still spend a few more days in isolation at her home, added the report.

The other three patients have already made a full recovery and were discharged.

World health experts have warned of a possible pandemic after the outbreak of the virus in Mexico in April.