H1N1 vaccine optional: Health Ministry

Health Ministry affirmed here yesterday that the H1N1 vaccine was optional not mandatory. Dr. Ibrahim Abdulhadi, Undersecretary at the Ministry, told KUNA that news in the media about the mandatory vaccine was not true, stressing that the situation did not require such measures to be implemented. Kuwait witnessed around 8,644 cases of the H1N1 (commonly known as the swine flue) since last April with most cases recovering from the disease.

Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that around 22 cases of swine flu H1N1 were reported this week, a drop in the number of cases in comparison to the past months.

Thus, the total number of A(H1N1) cases in Kuwait has reached 8,644 since the outbreak of the virus in the country last April, the ministry's spokesman, Qais Al-Duweiri, said.

He added, the ministry follows the World Health Organization WHO's regulations, calling upon citizens to commit to precautionary guidelines to curb the spread of the disease.

Children under the age of five, pregnant women and those over the age of 65 years are more vulnerable to the disease, in addition to those with chronic illnesses and low immune systems.

Source:

Hajj wraps; ‘No hugging, kissing’

Image by Elias Pirasteh via Flickr

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 29: No hugging or kissing for pilgrims coming back home from Hajj in order to steer clear from contracting potential contagious diseases, the Kuwaiti Hajj Mission urged families of pilgrims Sunday. Out of concern over everyone’s health, and in precaution against A (H1N1) or swine flu, the mission, in a statement, urged pilgrims to seek medical advice should they encounter flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature or breathing problems. It also stressed on constant washing of hands with soap for pilgrims and not to mingle with others for at least a day after arrival. Groups most vulnerable for the diseases are children under five years and adults over 65, pregnant women, and those suffering from chronic diseases.

The annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage to Makkah wound up on Sunday without the feared mass outbreak of swine flu, Saudi authorities said, reporting a total of five deaths and 73 proven cases. Five pilgrims died from the A(H1N1) flu virus during the hajj, Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah said, as around 2.3 million pilgrims began an exodus from Makkah, the home in western Saudi Arabia of Islam’s holiest site. Rabeeah said there had been no other serious health problems. “It gives me pleasure to announce ... that the hajj of 2009 was free from any outbreak of disease or epidemic,” the minister said, quoted by the official Saudi news agency SPA. Working with international health authorities, Saudi Arabia mounted a concerted campaign to minimise the threat and mobilised 20,000 health workers for the hajj.

Countries were warned not to send children, the elderly or those with existing medical conditions on the annual pilgrimage. Also, vaccines were rushed to health workers when they became available at the start of November and heat-sensing cameras were set up at airports and around the main hajj sites to detect anyone with a feverish body temperature. The dead were four elderly pilgrims, all over 70, from India, Morocco, Pakistan and Sudan, and a 17-year-old Nigerian woman. All of them had other ailments, including heart disease and cancer, which left them more vulnerable to swine flu, health officials said. The world’s largest annual pilgrimage went off nearly trouble-free, Saudi officials said, compared to previous years when the hajj was marred by deadly stampedes and clashes with Iranian pilgrims.

The massive crowds of pilgrims were also able to move about easily, thanks in part to a huge five-storey walkway designed to avoid crushes at the jamarat pillars in Mina, where pilgrims undertake the ritual of stoning the devil. The site was the scene of several panics in past years that left hundreds dead. Worries over a possible contentious political protest by Iranians also came to nought. Ahead of the hajj, Saudi authorities warned against political activity, but they did not interfere on Thursday when Iranian pilgrims chanted “Death to America and Israel” in a ritual-like action inside a large tent in Mina.

As pilgrims began their mass exodus from Makkah, there was concern for those leaving from the coastal hub of Jeddah where a downpour on Wednesday that sparked deadly flash floods has killed more than 100 people. Roads and bridges in some part of Jeddah — the main gateway to Makkah — were swept away by the floods. More than a million of the pilgrims are expected to depart through Jeddah’s airport and seaport, but roads are still not completely clear in the city. Millions of Muslim pilgrims were pelting stone walls representing the devil before a final trip back to Islam’s holiest site on the closing day of the annual hajj.

Around 3 million pilgrims were casting pebbles Sunday at three walls in the desert valley of Mina in a symbolic rejection of Satan’s temptation for a third consecutive day. The faithful will then head back to Makkah for a final journey — known as the Farewell Circulation — around the Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred site. The stoning of the devil ritual, performed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, is when the crowds of pilgrims at the five-day hajj are at their height and contact between them is closest. Under a hot sun Saturday, hundreds of thousands of sweaty bodies pressed against each other toward the stoning walls. The majority did not wear masks, and many sneezed, coughed and spat and looked visibly exhausted.

Other parts of the hajj — such as the circling of the Kaaba shrine in Makkah — see a lot of physical contact and close quarters, but perhaps not as much as the rites at Mina, in a desert valley outside Makkah. The epic crowds squeeze together along ramps and platforms that control traffic around the walls. They push past each other to hurl their pebbles at each wall, often shouting curses at Satan and rejecting his temptations. “This is when the crowding is at its peak and this is where the spreading is likely to take place,” said Hassan el-Bushra, an epidemiologist at the Cairo office of the World Health Organization. “All the hajjis (pilgrims) are in a very limited physical location.” Like many here, Mikail Ocasio, a 28-year-old pilgrim from Maryland, dismissed the swine flu worries. “No disease was going to stop me from making my hajj,” he said. “Allah made the call to me and made it available and nothing is going to stop me.” Mina has long been the most dangerous of hajj rituals because the same overwhelming crowds raise the risk of deadly crushes and trampling.

In 2006, more than 360 pilgrims were killed when a piece of dropped luggage in a moving crowd caused a pile-up. Since then, Saudi authorities expanded the giant ramp around the walls to five stories, spreading out the masses over different levels to prevent jams. American and Saudi health officials circulated among the sprawling tent camp at Mina where the pilgrims live and gave the faithful cheek swabs for testing later. Health authorities hung posters of correct hand washing, and hand sanitizer dispensers were placed on walls in the camps, near public bathrooms and at ritual sites. Pilgrims arriving at Saudi airports were also scanned using a thermal camera and were offered a free vaccine.

Source:

Kuwait records 6th swine flu death

"Now, another one on 6th."

September 14, 2009
KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Hilal Al-Sayer announced the sixth H1N1 (swine flu virus) death in Kuwait. The deceased is a Kuwaiti woman in her fifties who was suffering from kidney failure, heart disease and other chronic diseases. She had been hospitalized for five days.

The Ministry of Health will hold regular press conferences every three weeks with the media to keep it updated, officials said. "We will provide the media with the latest news about the H1N1 virus through regular meetings with the media," said Dr Hilal Al-Sayer during the press conference yesterday.

The conference was attended by the Minister of Education and the undersecretaries and assisting undersecretaries from both ministries. The regulations and instructions made by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the closure of schools are not random.

The WHO gave the choice to each country to decide its own regulations of closing its schools according to its local circumstances and in the case that one percent of its population was infected. I assure you that Kuwait will never reach this stage of the disease. It is not true that there are 30 or 40,000 H1N1 infected persons in Kuwait. Kuwait will apply the recommendations of the health, education, and university experts meeting that will be held as well," Al-Sayer further said.

Meanwhile, news spread about the increased price of a vaccine. "I care most about protecting the country from the H1N1 virus and not the price of the vaccine. Also, no vaccine will be imported to the country unless it was approved by the WHO," he pointed out. According to the Minister of Education, Dr Moudhi Al-Humoud, there are three H1N1 infected cases in private schools, of which two were cured already.

The third is now receiving treatment. "About 120 school clinics were divided into the different education areas. There will be 20 clinics in each educational area in cooperation with the Ministry of Health," said Al-Humoud. The Ministry of Education increased it efforts due to the emergency situation of the H1N1 virus.

We must follow procedures to decrease the danger of this disease, including the meetings with the Ministry of Health. Based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Health and the WHO about the danger of this disease on the life of students who are under 5-years-old and who have weak immune systems and the handicapped, the Ministry of Education issued a decision previously to delay the school year for the kindergarten and the schools with special needs in both the private and public sectors, but it has no
t been applied yet.

In addition, awareness instructions were given to the teachers for such situations," Al-Homoud concluded. Regarding the news about the need for two vaccines to cure the H1N1 virus, the spokesman of the Ministry of Health, Faisal Al-Dosary, told the Kuwait Times that it was not true. "Only one vaccine is enough. According to all the research conducted, one vaccine will cover 96 percent of the disease," he stated.

Source:

Pointless swine flu panic is not the answer

"Swine flu scare that is.. everyone seems to be affected especially those with little children. Geared with the right mindset and providing the proper health care for ourselves and our families, beyond doubt we will do immensely well."

September 01, 2009
To go to school or not to go to school; that is the question.

The National Assembly and the Council of Ministers have been going back on forth on whether public schools should reopen as scheduled at the end of September, or whether the reopening should be postponed due to the swine flu epidemic. The reason is that many MPs are worried that swine flu could spread quickly among young children. By postponing the start of the school year, parents might have enough time to vaccinate their children or take other necessary precautions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has already stated that it does not recommend postponing the reopening of schools and, as far as I know, many other countries hit by swine flu have not postponed it. But leave it to our MPs to blow things out of proportion and create an unnecessary health scare, just to score some points with their constituents.

That swine flu is an infectious disease is undeniable. Adults and children need to take precautions against it and parents should educate their children about the importance of washing their hands frequently and putting their hands over their mouth when they cough. However, it must be stated in clear and simple language that swine flu is not automatically fatal, unless it infects individuals with preexisting health problems, such as obesity, pneumonia or pregnancy. Furthermore, most of the 200+ patients that have been infected in Kuwait have been cured and are now back to living their lives normally. The epidemic is real, but delaying the reopening of schools is not a cure; it is just an overreaction.

Full story on source:

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Health panel meets; Govt insists 'no delay' for schools

"News on the first day of the month is as hot as the climate we are having right now. I am strongly definite everyone just yearns for safety against swine flu for all the students once school starts."

September 01, 2009
KUWAIT: The National Assembly health and labor committee will hold an expanded meeting today to discuss government preparations to face any possible outbreak of swine flu when students return to school by the end of September. Education Minister Modhi Al-Humoud however insisted that there will be no delay in reopening the schools beyond September 27 for Arabic schools and September 13 for private schools.

Humoud added that the ministry has taken all the necessary precautions along with the ministry of health. The minister's view was strongly backed yesterday by the World Health Organization expert who is visiting Kuwait. The expert said that the swine flu situation in Kuwait was "reassuring" and there was no need to delay reopening the schools on schedule. But MPs who are pushing for an emergency session of the National Assembly to discuss the swine flu situation said yesterday they were too close to get the required signatures to force the session.

Full story on source:

Kuwait delays kindergarten by two months over swine flu

"For those with preschoolers, foreign kindergarten schools will have its opening by September 13."

August 30, 2009
Kuwait has decided to delay the reopening of kindergartens for two months for fear of the spread of swine flu after the Gulf emirate reported over 1,000 cases, the education minister said on Sunday.

The cabinet decided at an emergency meeting on Saturday night that the measure will also affect schools for students with special needs and nurseries, while other schools will reopen on schedule in the last week of September, Mudhi al-Homud told the official Kuna news agency.

Kuwait has reported 1,336 cases of A (H1N1) influenza, four of whom have died, including a two-and-a-half-year-old girl and a pregnant woman.

The decision came after pressure from lawmakers who called on the government to delay reopening of all schools for two months after the rate of infection in the emirate picked up rapidly in the past few weeks.

About 30 MPs have signed a request to convene an emergency session of parliament next week to discuss government preparations to face the disease. They must secure the support of 33 MPs for the session to take place.

Authorities last week decided to delay reopening of kindergartens at foreign schools by two weeks until September 13.

Kuwait has invited experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to assess the situation, health ministry undersecretary Ibrahim al-Abdulhadi said, adding that the ministry has set up a special hotline and beefed up preparations for the start of the school year.

Kuwait has ample stocks of the anti-flu drug Tamiflu and has ordered 45,000 vaccines for October and another one million by the end of the year.

Source:

264 swine-flu cases reported during the week

"This is what I am talking about. Everyone must be sort of paranoid in public places. But then again an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Good thing information dissemination is being given importance for the public's health awareness i.e., awareness campaigns, billboards and advertisements on streets, plus sending out letters as health instructions."

"Again, I will repeat from my previous posts as a reminder. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to the regular seasonal flu - high fever over 37.8, running nose, aching body, headache, sore throat, upset stomach and difficulty in breathing. People with swine flu are likely to be contagious one day before and up to seven days after they begin to show swine flu symptoms, Dr. Musaad Al-Attiyah, Head of the Pharmaceutical Department at the Contagious Diseases Hospital, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)."

Published Date: August 28, 2009
KUWAIT: The Health Ministry revealed 264 new cases of swine flu during the week, according to a health official yesterday. The number is lower than when compared to the earlier week, ministry spokesperson Yousif Al-Nisf said, indicating to a total number of 1,336, most of which have been treated. The ministry operates under the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), he said.

Al-Nisf stressed the need for residents to wash hands regularly, cover their mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing, to get lots of rest, to avoid unnecessary contact with others at diwaniyas, mosques or shopping centres, and to visit the doctor when experiencing any flu-like symptoms.

Full story on source:

Kuwait confirms fourth swine flu death

"I know what you are probably thinking. Hard it may seem, reality is so visible so much so that it may send quivers to our spine. Swine flu virus is lurking to its course like a wolf hunting for its prey. Let's shield ourselves. We know what to do. We all need strong resistance much more for our children. And oh, listen to our instincts too."

Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Kuwait’s Ministry of Health on Wednesday confirmed a fourth death from swine flu - a non-Kuwaiti child aged two.

The child, who died Wednesday morning, had been admitted to a children’s hospital on Tuesday for other health issues, including a 'nutritional imbalance'. The young girl was subsequently put in isolation.

According to the World Health Organization, segments of society most prone to the H1N1 virus include children under the age of five, pregnant women, the elderly, obese individuals, people affected by chronic illnesses and individuals with weak immune systems.

Source:

Kuwait's swine flu numbers rise to 111, teens susceptible

"As you can see, almost all new reported cases of swine flu in Kuwait are from individuals going to and returning from trips abroad. Well, in the heat of the moment let's continue to keep our chin up. Good hygiene measures."

Published Date: July 30, 2009
KUWAIT: Kuwait's health authorities are closely monitoring cases diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, amid warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO) that most of those infected worldwide are teenagers, aged between 12 and 17, and that swine flu could spread among school children. The Ministry of Health is working around the clock, especially after the number of cases reported in the country rose to 111, with the global total currently standing at around 80,000, of whom 359 have died, according to the WHO.

Mohsen Burguba, director of the Ministry of Education's (MoE) Public Relations and Media Department, said that the health and education ministries were working closely to take the necessary precautions to safeguard pupils, and are launching an awareness campaign about the nature of the virus and ways of dealing of it before the beginning of the next academic year sees schools reopening.

Full story from source:

10 new H1N1s in Kuwait

Image via Wikipedia

"Since Ramadan and Hajj pilgrimage are fast approaching without our knowing, we expect a lot of travelers in the middle east. Well, everyone you know what to do as I've been saying it all the time. Good hygiene and surely, you will be alright."

From source:

KUWAIT, July 22, (Agencies): Kuwait’s Health Ministry reported Wednesday 10 new swine flu cases, involving citizens and expatriates, bringing the total to 54 recorded cases. The ministry’s spokesman Dr Yusuf Al-Nisuf told KUNA that lab reports came back positive for the H1N1 virus, and the 10 infected were currently hospitalized and their conditions stable. Two of the swine flu cases contracted the disease through direct interaction with a person who just arrived from Umrah, whereas the rest had arrived from Thailand and Dubai. The ministry is closely observing the situation and is ready to deal with emergency according to the recommendations and regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO), Al-Nisuf added. The ministry has taken all measures to contain the disease through careful observation, the official reiterated. Most of the cases have fully recovered and are resuming their normal life, Al-Nisuf stated. The age range of the registered cases is between 16 to 35, plus a number of cases of infants and seniors, he added.

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Two confirmed cases by MOH

"I have nothing much to say now but hoping for the best."

The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday a further two confirmed cases of the A(H1N1) swine flu virus, adding up to a total of 32 victims registered in Kuwait. The two cases include a young Kuwaiti girl who had arrived at Kuwait International Airport from Australia and a Kuwaiti man who had arrived from Saudi Arabia, the ministry’s spokesperson Yousif Al-Nisf told KUNA.

Al-Nisf added that the two individuals were in stable conditions and were currently receiving treatment at the Infectious Diseases Hospital. All those who have come into contact with the sufferers have been tested as a precaution and have been given awareness tips according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the spokesman indicated. So far, he said, 26 of the total number of sufferers have recovered and have returned to their normal everyday lives.

Source:

Kuwait announces new swine flu case

"24 out of 29 patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital."

Published Date: July 18, 2009
KUWAIT: Kuwait's Health Ministry announced yesterday a new swine flu case of a Kuwaiti child who returned from Thailand, raising number of registered cases of the A (H1N1) virus to 29.

Ministry spokesman Dr Yusuf Al-Nisf said laboratory tests showed that the child, whose name nor age were revealed, was infected with the swine flu virus and would be treated in the Infectious Diseases Hospital. He said all people who were with the child would be examined. Al-Nisf said 24 people out of the 29 cases were discharged and returned to normal life, while the rest would be leaving hospital soon. The spokesman said the health ministry was monitoring the situation and was dealing with the patients in line with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). - KUNA

From source:

The Higher Committee is holding talks

Image via Wikipedia

"This sounds right to me."

KUWAIT CITY, July 14:
The Higher Committee for Fighting the H1N1 Swine Flu Epidemic is holding talks to stop notifying the media about new infections or recoveries in Kuwait, as the situation has improved, reports Al-Seyassah daily quoting the Director of the General Health Department Dr Rashid Al-Uwaish. He said most states have stopped informing the media about new infections and are now only notifying the World Health Organization (WHO) through periodic reports. He added the Information Committee concerned with fighting the disease plans to conduct awareness campaigns over a time span of six months.

Source:

New swine flu case reported in Kuwait

Image by Ikarus Kuwait via Flickr

"Have you ever noticed? Every now and then new swine flu cases occur but are not spread in Kuwait. Instead new counts are brought in by travelers. Patients are soon discharged from the hospital after total recovery. That means, the health care system is good enough to manage satisfactorily on such cases."

Health 7/12/2009 4:22:00 PM
By Mubarak Al-Hajeri

KUWAIT, July 12 (KUNA) -- Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that a new swine flu case has been spotted in a Kuwaiti girl arriving from Thailand, bringing the number of cases registered in the country to 25.

Official ministry spokesman Dr. Yousef Al-Nisf told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that lab tests confirmed that the girl contracted the H1N1 virus and will receive the necessary treatment in a hospital, noting that her condition is stable.

Al-Nisf added that those who were in close contact with the girl would be screened as a precautionary measure according to guidance stipulated by the World Health Organization, noting that this is the fifth case to be reported to a child less than 16 years of age.

He assured that all the swine flu cases are in good health, adding that 20 infected cases have already left the hospital and returned to their normal lives. Al-Nisf pointed out that the state of the rest of the infected cases is stable and will leave the hospital, respectively.

He asserted the ministry's careful follow-up on the development of the disease in accordance with the guidance and regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Source:

**HOW TO PREVENT AND PREPARE FOR SWINE FLU

Image via Wikipedia

"Take a look. These are the essential guidelines."

SYMPTOMS OF SWINE FLU:

What is currently referred to in the media as the "swine flu" is a respiratory disease with symptoms similar to that of the familiar seasonal flu. While originally thought to originate with pigs, it has not been isolated in swine. The official name for the "swine flu" we face is A(H1N1). As of June 16, 2009, this flu outbreak is classified as a global pandemic. The term "pandemic" is not bound to a certain number of cases, but defined by human-to-human transmission in three different countries in two different WHO regions.

In the event that this flu virus becomes a pandemic, everyday life may be disrupted because many people in many places might become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts can range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery. The following steps will help you prepare for the worst case scenario.


STEPS

PREVENTION:

1. Know what the signs of swine flu are in people. The symptoms look a lot like an ordinary flu and include fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. It is reported that diarrhea and vomiting can also be included with the symptoms of illness. There's no way to tell if you have the swine flu unless a respiratory specimen is taken within the first 4-5 days and sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or equivalent).

2. Make sure you are in good health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Consider taking a Vitamin C supplement. The healthier you are, the better your immune system will be at defending your body against a virus.

3. Practice good hygiene. If you sneeze, keep a disposable tissue in front of your mouth, after sneezing or blowing your nose throw the tissue away. Wash your hands often, especially if after blowing your nose/sneezing and before you eat. Use a disinfectant when possible or just use soap and water.

4. Don't share utensils or drinks. In cafeteria settings, it's not uncommon for people to casually share utensils or take a sip from someone else's drink. This should be completely avoided if there is any risk of a flu pandemic.

5. Wear a facemask or respirator as instructed by authorities. If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help prevent some exposure to flu viruses. However, facemasks should be used along with other preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing.


PREPARATION:

If a pandemic flu virus spreads rapidly, being prepared to stay at home will help slow down the virus because you'll minimize your exposure (and other people's exposure to you, if you become sick).

1. Know what to expect.

• A vaccine for pandemic flu may not be available for 4-6 months after a pandemic starts, and even then, it may only be available in limited amounts.
• People will have little or no immunity to pandemic flu since it is a new virus to humans. With seasonal flu, people have some immunity built up from previous exposure to the virus.
• Symptoms of pandemic flu may be more severe than seasonal flu. More people are likely to die from pandemic flu than seasonal flu.
• If you got a swine flu vaccine in the '70s, don't expect it to protect you from this new strain.
  

2. Stock up. Store nonperishable foods, bottled water, over-the-counter drugs, health supplies and other necessities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends having a 2-week supply. (These supplies can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages.) Have basic, over-the-counter health supplies such as a thermometer, facemasks, tissues, soap, hand sanitizers, medicine to relieve fever, and cold medicine.

3. Plan ahead. Plan for what you will do in the following cases:

• Schools dismissed: Consider childcare needs. Plan home learning activities and exercises. Have materials, such as books on hand. Also plan recreational activities that your children can do at home.

o As for students, take valuable items from lockers, such as iPods and textbooks- if school is closed, you wouldn't want such items left behind.

• You or family member becomes sick and requires care: Make plans for how to care for people with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available. Plan to stay home for at least 10 days when you are sick with pandemic flu. Staying home will keep you from infecting others. Make sure others in your household also stay home when they are sick. During a severe pandemic, stay home if someone in your household is sick with pandemic flu.
• Transportation networks disrupted. Think about how you can rely less on public transportation during a pandemic. For example, store food and other essential supplies to reduce shopping trips. Prepare backup plans for taking care of loved ones who are far away. Consider other ways to get to work, or if you can, work at home .

4. Talk to your employer. Ask your employer about how business will continue during a pandemic. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services offers a Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist; or you can Develop a Risk Management Plan that accounts for the possibility of a flu pandemic. Find out if you can work from home, or if your employer will consider virtualizing the workforce. Plan for the possible reduction or loss of income if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed. Check with your employer or union about leave policies.

5. Stay updated. Identify sources you can count on for reliable information. If a pandemic occurs, having accurate and reliable information will be critical.

• Reliable, accurate, and timely information is available at PandemicFlu.gov and World Health Organization swine flu page.
• Telephone sources include the US Centers fir Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-888-232-6348. If you do not live in the U.S., check if there is an equivalent hotline in your area.
• Look for information on your local and state government Web sites. Review your state's planning efforts and those of your local public health and emergency preparedness officials.
• Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television, and read your newspaper and other sources of printed and Web-based information.
  

IF YOU CONTRACT THIS FLU:

1. In most cases flu patients should stay home. Do not go to the hospital or doctor, or else you might spread the virus to other patients.

o On the other hand do seek emergency care as quickly as possible if the infected person is:

• Exceptionally ill with flu-like symptoms
• Chronically ill
• Immune-suppressed
• Elderly
• A very young child, under age 2

2. Call your doctor first. Explain that you think you might have the swine flu, and follow any instructions. Read the US CDC guidelines on care.

3. Get plenty of rest. Wait it out, the flu should pass in about 10 days.

4. Be aware of life-threatening complications which might develop. If you get any of these you should get emergency medical care.


Emergency warning signs in adults are:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
  

Emergency warning signs in children are:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or interacting
• Being very irritable
• Fever with rash

Dr Joseph Bresee, of the US Center for Disease Control Influenza Division discusses swine flu.

TIPS:

• Avoid traveling to an affected area. People who have recently visited Mexico, California or Texas and are experiencing influenza-like symptoms, or have been in contact with sick persons from these areas, should contact their health care provider. Be sure to specify that you recently traveled.
• Note that swine flu is transmitted from person-to-person, not from food
• Don't confuse swine flu with avian (bird) flu. Unlike avian flu, swine flu has proven to be highly contagious between humans.

WARNINGS:

• Don't panic. While it is prudent to be prepared, there is no need to overreact. For most people, basic precautions are all that is needed.
• The Centers for Disease Control estimates that, on average, over 36,000 Americans die each year from flu related causes. Keep in mind that so far the swine flu pales in comparison to the regular flu.

Source:

What Is Scope of Swine Flu?

"Are you getting worried? Just keep a close watch on the updates. Awareness brings focus and decreases fear. Keep a healthy body!"

Posted by MCT Team on Sunday, June 28, 2009

The World Health Organization has raised its alert level to 6. The WHO revealed that the influenza virus has the sustainability for human-to-human transmission and can cause community level outbreaks.

A similar outbreak known as bird flu was more risky than H1N1 virus. According to Professor Neil Ferguson of the World Health Organization, H1N1 is nothing when compared to other similar outbreaks such as SARS or the 1918 Spanish flu.

If the H1N1 outbreak disappears in the coming weeks, there might still be an outbreak of the virus in the autumn.

In case it is an epidemic, then 30% - 40% of the general population might become susceptible to infection.

New strain of H1N1 virus is something which people has natural immunity and has not received any vaccination yet making people susceptible infection and spread to other people.

H1N1 is still a subject of studies by major laboratories in the world. Once there is sufficient information about the virus, only then can it be possible to make improved predictions about individuals who are at higher risk and likely to have serious complications.

The outbreaks outside of Mexico have not resulted to deaths which is an indication that the virus is not that aggressive.

But it appears that it would cause an outbreak that would be felt all over the world and increase mortality rates.

The outbreak of H1N1 began in Mexico City and it has now spread in 30 countries.

Source:

Cabinet discusses precautions taken to combat swine flu virus

Image by khalid almasoud via Flickr

"Well, this news is quite a healthy measure regarding precautions in the country that has been up lately. Don't you think?"

KUWAIT CITY, June 22, (KUNA): The Cabinet, in its regular weekly session on Monday, discussed precautions taken to combat the A/H1N1 virus, as well as efforts to develop the country’s financial market. During the session, headed by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, a briefing was made by Health Minister Hilal Musaed Al-Sayer on developments of the swine flu-causing A/H1N1 virus, after new cases were recently declared in Kuwait. The briefing also included all precautions taken in line with recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the Health Ministry’s follow-up of cases under treatment and people they came in contact with.

The minister also highlighted measures that were taken to provide all requirements for laboratories in order to test samples and work around the clock, while noting the special operations room that was set up to respond to any queries about swine flu. Al-Sayer emphasized that full coordination was ongoing between the Contagious Diseases Hospital, the Emergency Medical Services Department and local hospitals over means to deal with infected people and how to admit and transfer cases. Cabinet members lauded the great efforts of the Health Ministry in dealing with swine flu and taking all necessary precautions to combat this disease in coordination with international organizations and other countries, to guarantee the safety of citizens.

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