
CAIRO: Egyptian Ministry reports three more deaths on December 16th, caused by the swine flu. The total number of deaths is now 64. The people reported dead were: a 26-year old woman, a 2-year old boy, and a 14-year old student.
Image Description
The photographs of Cairo University of Egypt provided were extracted from satellite imagery by Google Earth. The primary image (attached) is at an eye altitude of 785 meters, the secondary at 467 meters, and the third at 253 meters. The primary image exhibits the main highways that surround the university. The main university building has a half spherical structure above the building. The building sits on a large tract of rectangular land in which several smaller complexes surround it with a major concentration in the west side. There is a large rectangular visible area and a circular area north and east from the main building respectively where vegetation is visible. There is also a three-dimensional building east from the university.
Intelligence Usefulness
Image is useful for strategic and operational intelligence. For strategic planning, the images may be somewhat unstable. The trees north and east from the main university building could be cut off and other buildings may be constructed in those areas. However the rest of the buildings, highways and roads are stable. Further construction of main buildings and roads to facilitate access to the university will be fairly visible through this type of imagery.
Operationally, when attacking the university aerially, the university is vulnerable, and thousands of students, faculty and staff will undoubtedly be at risk. However, ground approach can only be made through various checkpoint areas. Parking lot is readily scattered and a short distance from the main building and the rest of the university buildings. However, parking permits are advised to better monitor the area (if applicable). Damage to those buildings through an explosion can be predicted. Biological or chemical agent attacks would be possible as well.
Shortcomings
An image is limited to provide all information due to the limited view it provides, and therefore has a little tactical value. These images only provide an external top view of a particular area of the earth's surface. We can see buildings, their surroundings, vegetation, main roads, bodies of water, etc. In addition, we can see the size of the building as well as few entrances, but we are not able to see security nor precisely nor functions and activities taking place in the university. All possible threats that can occur externally or internally can not be predicted through these images. Therefore, other sources will be required to know more about these unobservable actions.
Summary
Cairo University is an institute of higher education; it includes law school, and medical school. This school is one of the most important and biggest university in Egypt where a disaster would result as a disastrous tragedy. Currently, it is one of the most active universities in combating the swine flu. The large area the university covers that is observed in the images, demonstrates potential capacity of the large number of students and faculty. Students are in constant contact with each other and papers and books are frequently passed from individual to individual, which puts them a higher risk in acquiring the swine flu. However, this internal threat cannot be observed nor predicted through satellite imagery. Cairo University is vulnerable to internal and external threats.
CAIRO- More than three million university students finally start school after a week's delay, and Minister of Higher Education, Hani Hilal, states they are prepared to confront swine flu in case of an outbreak. The ministry will take measures depending on the severity of the spread, including shutting down universities.
Cairo University divided students among classes, and included renovating maintenance requirements of libraries, labs, and lecture rooms as a precaution. Sayed Genena, head of Cairo University dorms, informed that 5% to 20% of the dorms will be used to isolate suspects.Therefore, inspection visits are regular throughout most campuses. Ain Shames University president, Ahmed Zaki Badr, declares the university will broadcast lectures through satellites. Additional precautions include restricting attendance of external students, whom are permitted to attend only on Fridays and forced to study at home. Performance in students' first year will determine allowance as regular full-time students.
World Health Organization (WHO) implies that the suspension of classes could be the most effecting way in prevent the spread of H1N1, however, it does not implement definite guidance to whether schools should close or continue.
Source:http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=24980
(Reliability: 9)
CAIRO- Rubbish rotting all over the country is posing health threats to Egypt’s civilians. People are becoming more desperate as the overcrowded areas increase with piles of trash in the streets. Hygiene and basic services like water and electricity are not guaranteed to the people. This obstacle imposes difficulty in washing their hands with soap and water, as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), to prevent the spread of the swine flu. The country is already combating against the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu and lack of hygiene will impose a greater challenge.
Various restrictions were placed in attempting to prevent contamination in travelers, schools, universities, and even the slaughter of 250,000 pigs, through was no evidence on pigs transmitting the disease to humans. Pigs were feeding on organic waste and rubbish increased after the termination. Egypt produces a total of 55,000 tones of waste daily. Litter is found everywhere including near schools, fruit stalls, and hospitals. Though there is no link between rubbish and swine flu, rubbish is favorable environment for other diseases.
Source:http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gwZ4zKJUpKd1O86wWykGL8O4pgSQ
(Reliability 8)
CAIRO- Egypt recently reinforced airport officials to run swine flu test on thousands of civilians who were returning home after attending the Ramadan umrah. For this reason, attendance of Egyptians to perform the upcoming event of hajj this year is expected to drop as much as 30 to 40 percent. Egyptian official stated that even stricter measures may be introduced in the future. Hatem al-Gabali, an Egyptian Health Minister declared that they might make the decision of cancelling hajj this year to prevent outbreaks.
Health officials have reported over 900 cases of swine flu in Egypt, two of them resulted in death. Egypt’s concern has cause them to take several other measure to combat swine flu such as postponing the first day of schools and universities till October 3 restrain risk of the virus’ contamination.
Source:http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h0jdQUQVHwpVp8pRTGkoPWk1JDgw
(Reliability: 8)
Comment: Most Arab countries are making efforts to prevent swine flu outspread before the hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. The hajj takes place in November, season of the winter flu and approximately two million foreigners are predicted to perform hajj. Arab health ministers suggested prohibiting people under the age of 12 and over 65 from traveling, pregnant women and people with diseases.
CAIRO- Egypt will not have sufficient swine flu vaccines for its 80 million population. Health Ministry spokesman Abd-El Rahman Shaheen informs that 5 million doses will be distributed in the upcoming six months. In October's second half health professionals will deliver 80,000 vaccines, by January 1.2 million, and the rest by March. This amount will only cover six percent of Egypt's population which is not enough for all pregnant women, children and students. Shaheen asks WHO for a "fair distribution" to successfully vaccine those at high risk, Egyptian Muslims who plan pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia, and health workers.
Egypt has the highest number of deaths from the bird flu. Officials goal is to also prevent the development of a new virus due to new possible combinations. WHO will commence swine vaccine distribution in November to an estimate of 90 countries, including Egypt.
Source: http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2009/09/29/news/438645.prt
(Reliability: 8)
Comment: There are 87 confirmed cases by the Egyptian Central Public Health Laboratories of avian influenza (H5N1) from which 27 have been fatal.
CAIRO- Global concerns over the H1N1 swine flu virus continue to rise. Egypt attempts to prevent the spread of the virus by taking strict precautions with policies and a quarantine system. Already, officials closed schools till October 3. In August, Egyptian government banned elderly and people under 25 years old from traveling to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Egyptian government quarantined 150 people after two confirmed cases at an American University of Cairo dormitory for a week in June, and continues to suspects of having the swine flu. Officials that quarantine possible infected people are mixing them with the diseased which will result further spread of the virus. World Health Organization does not consider Egyptian measures reasonable due to the recent unnecessary slaughter of pigs in April despite unreported cases of the pandemic.
Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-28-voa35.cfm?rss=health
(Reliability 9)
Comment: People who are already infected should stay at home to keep others from getting the swine flu. Suspects will become infected when they have contact with those who already have it.
CAIRO- Swine flu virus cases increase to 900 with two deaths in Egypt. Concerns in Egyptian universities forces new measures to prevent the spread of the swine flu virus through out the country by planning to utilize distance learning in many universities. University officials postponed the new academic year start date from 6 September to 3 October to make such preparations and changes. Egyptian university representative Ashraf Hatem, stated that "irregular students" or those with swine flu symptoms will not be allowed to attend the universities. Officials decided based on the idea that decreased number of attendance will reduce the spread of the swine flu.
Cairo University intends to broadcast lectures through two TV satellites due to large class sizes that can facilitate disease spread. Helwan University will divide student's attendance in morning and afternoon shifts, while Ain Shams University plans to record and relay lectures on the radio and student's union.
Source: http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20090925024540199
(Reliability: 8)
Comment: H1N1 is highly contagious similar to seasonal flu. Due to its potential to infect people, people who are already sick should stay home to prevent other people from sickening. Children under 5 years of age, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people who already have a disease are vulnerable to severe complications and possible death.