Global Arab Network | More swine flu deaths in the Middle East raising health risks

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More swine flu deaths in the Middle East raising health risks

Global Arab Network - - Hannan Taha

Wednesday, 02 September 2009 15:37

The UAE said that two females died of the swine flu virus, taking the tally to four. The UAE Ministry of Health said that the recent fatalities were for a pregnant woman who was admitted to the hospital 10 days ago with respiratory problems. She was operated on and her baby is in good health.

The ministry formed a panel to examine the death of the second female.

While, Iran's Health Ministry announced today a second A/H1N1 swine flu death.

The deceased was a 96-year-old who was suffering from a weak immune system due to old age.

A total of 43 new swine flu cases were reported to bring the toll up to 328 cases, the ministry's press release said.

The first swine flu death in the country was that of a woman, 36, who was suffering from a permanent disease in the respiratory system and was addicted to drugs.

Saudi Arabia has called on countries sending Haj and Umrah pilgrims to take necessary precautions against swine flu, providing required vaccinations and meeting health conditions recommended by both Saudi and international organisations.

Kuwaiti Health Minister Dr Hilal Al-Sayer assured that preparations are ready in all the medical centres in cooperation with Ministry of Education to deal with any swine flu crisis.

In a statement to KUNA, Al-Sayer said after a meeting of the parliamentary health committee that took place today that the health situation in Kuwait is stable, and there is no need for undue concern.

Since April, the ministry has been following the situation of swine flu, and therefore, 120 clinics in different schools will be medically equipped in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Al-Sayer added.

He said that the protocols of the swine flu treatment have been developed and that as a result the number of cases have decreased lately.
Moreover, he mentioned the role of media in making the public aware of this disease, calling all means of media to cooperate.

He moreover called citizens and residents of Kuwait to cooperate in following appropriate procedures to combat this disease.

Over 40,000 cases in EU

The European Parliament's Environmment and Public Health Committee has expressed concern about the availability of an effective vaccine in time for the wave of swine influenza pandemic, expected to hit Europe in the coming winter.

Zsuzsanna Jakab, Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) told the committee, that cases of infection with the new virus have been reported in all EU Member States, according to an EP statement here Wednesday.

By the end of August the number has exceeded 46,000 infected people with swine flu and 104 deaths in Europe.

"The Pandemic is moderate, but not harmless and in the winter we can expect it to become one of the dominant diseases affecting European citizens," stressed Jakab.

He explained that the vaccine is undergoing clinical tests and should be available after fast track approval by the end of October.

US making steady progress

The United States is making steady progress on developing a safe and effective H1N1 flu vaccine, and a flu shot program was expected to begin soon, President Barack Obama said.

The program will be voluntary, but strongly recommended, he said in an appearance in the White House Rose Garden following a meeting with leaders of the federal team responsible for dealing with the so-called swine flu.

"We know that we usually get a second, larger wave of these flu viruses in the fall, and so response plans have been put in place across all levels of government," the President said. "Our plans and decisions are based on the best scientific information available, and as the situation changes, we will continue to update the public." While government officials have done an exemplary job in preparing for the flu outbreak, "we anticipate that there will be some issues coming up over the next several months," Obama said. "The way it (the H1N1 virus) is moving is still somewhat unpredictable, but what I am absolutely confident about is that our team that is assembled here has done an extraordinary job in preparing for whatever may happen." State and local governments on the front lines need to make antiviral medications and vaccines available, and be ready to take whatever steps are necessary to support the health care system, the President said.

"We need hospitals and health care providers to continue preparing for an increased patient load, and to take steps to protect health care workers," he said. "We need families and businesses to ensure that they have plans in place if a family member, a child or a co-worker contracts the flu and needs to stay home." Most important, the President said, is that everyone "get informed" about individual risk factors, and take common-sense steps -- stay home if sick, wash hands frequently, cover sneezes with sleeves, not hands, "and take all the necessary precautions to stay healthy."

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