Saudi Attempts to Diminish Swine Flu Spread Before Hajj

The annual pilgrimage, the hajj, to Mecca is the largest gathering of the planet, bringing 2.5 million people from 160 countries. Such gathering is welcoming for an outbreak since the pilgrims are compacted in the small city of Saudi Arabia for five days. Their holy city could turn into a "petri dish for viral mutations," thus spreading a new pandemic around the world. Saudi authorities have already asked pregnant women, elderly, and diseased not to attend the hajj.

Dr. Ziad A. Memish, Islam's assistant deputy minister for preventive medicine, stated that they will allow all those who enter the country but are recommending the rest of the countries whom should be allowed.

Health authorities recommended pilgrims to frequently wash their hands, bring their own surgical masks and hand sanitizers. In addition, Saudi government has stocked Tamiflu, staffed 76 health facilities, expanded intensive-care units, and will not charge pilgrims for expenses on health problems they may have during the visit.

Though it may be impossible to prevent the flu from spreading among pilgrims, authorities are doing what they can to lessen the probability by keeping the vulnerable from attending the hajj.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/world/middleeast/30flu.html?_r=1

(Reliability: 9)

Comment: Previous outbreaks include the meningitis in Mecca in 1987. Muslim pilgrims spread polio from northern Nigeria across Africa to Saudi Arabia and from there to Yemen and Indonesia in 2004. Catholics gathered in July 2008 from all over the world for World Youth Day, broke an Tamiflu

resistant strain of seasonal flu outbreak to the Northern Hemisphere and the United States last winter.

Risk of Swine Flu in Cairo's schools

CAIRO- Egyptian ministries of health and education have reduced half of the children in classrooms to lessen the spread of swine flu.  Students are obligated to attend school only three days of the week instead of the regular six days. 

For example, Toga Ali, a 13 year old student at Abdullah Ibn Rawaha School in the Imbata area of Cairo, attends on the second shift which consists of Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Her classroom was reduced to 25 students from 80, many which stay home in fear of getting infected. Children wear surgical masks during playtime and classrooms are more ventilated by having the windows open and fans. 

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Health Ministry are rising awareness through a campaign and TV advertisements.  They are also distributing awareness kits to all schools in Egypt.

Source: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86695#at

(Reliability:9)

WHO School Guidelines

CAIRO- The World Health Organization (WHO) states that schools may serve as a contributor to the spread of the swine flu. WHO recommends "hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, proper cleaning, good ventilation, isolation of staff or students" to reduce infection. However, specific recommendation for closure of schools cannot not be made due to the complexity of the situation. Yet, timing of schools' closure are critical. The greatest benefits will be obtained if schools are closed early before one percent of the population are diseased.

Rana Zaqout, head of the Pandemic Influenza Contigency (PIC) unit for the Middle East and North Africa, states that there are many discrepancies about closing schools to prevent an outbreak because taking such action may impact Egypt socially and economically. Closure of schools may reduce the spread, but policies should limit congregation of students outside schools.

Education Minister Youssri el-Gamal says they might not close schools for the winter season

Source:http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86695#at

(Reliability: 9)

Comment: Pandemic Influenza Contigency (PIC) unit for the Middle East and North Africa is part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHOA).

Egypt will Vaccinate Hajj Pilgrims

CAIRO- Health Minister Hatem al-Gabali reported Egypt plans to vaccinate citizens that will be attending the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The vaccination for H1N1 will be available on October 23, 2009. Gabali declares pilgrims will be "vaccinated according to instructions and conditions of the Saudi health ministry." Three million people are expected at the annual hajjto Mecca in late November, therefore, Saudi Arabia required attendant to be vaccinated against H1N1 and H1N5.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jKVG-RT6oJLsBLXN9PL-Va7kCXsg

(Reliability:8)

Decrease in Cairo Garbage Collection

CAIRO- Trash piles in the streets of Cairo have been augmenting and civilians’ concerns as well. The Egyptian government decided to slaughter all pigs residing in the country last month to combat H1N1 virus, even though the World Health Organization opposed this decision. The “zabaleen” would collect the organic waste, which was fed to their pigs. Having no more pigs is resulting in a more crowded, noisy, and smellier Cairo where more diseases are likely to develop.
Dana Moussa created an event on Facebook called “Clean up Giza” in which 350 members joined to collect trash from neighborhoods. Giza is the huge section of greater Cairo extending out to the pyramids.

Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-16-voa16.cfm

(Reliability: 8)

First Egyptian School Closure

CAIRO- The College of the Mother of God, a Christian school in Cairo, will close for two weeks after health and education ministries reported finding three people with the swine flu on campus. Egypt announced its closure on October 13, 2009. This is the first school they close in its entire due to the infection from H1N1 virus.

Source: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/egypt/?id=35012

(Reliability: 9)

Comment: Egypt postponed first day of schools and universities for Egyptian schools from mid-September till October 3 to prevent outbreaks. However, the number of cases in the country increases to 1,053 swine flue infections, including three deaths.

Cairo Schools Close in Egypt

CAIRO- Egypt decided to close down two universities and two schools in Cairo, and lessons were out on televisions to help students continue with their education. Health Ministry reported that Ain Shams University closed two Cairo boys and girls school suburbs, as well as language and arts faculties for two weeks. In American University in Cairo closed a classroom after a student was tested positive for H1N1. The school population is 17 million and from those, 1,000 reported to have swine flu since the first report in June 2009.
The Health Ministry stated that Egypt will obtain 5 million doses of swine flu vaccinations over the next six months. About 80,000 vaccines will be delivered by the end of October, 1.2 million by January, and the rest by March. This amount will cover about 6% of Egypt’s 80 million populations, however development for more vaccines are currently at work.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aRcU7ihTKuao

(Reliability: 7)

Egypt: Developing own H1N1 vaccination for 2011

CAIRO- In fear of a flu pandemic, Egypt is currently working the development of H1N1 vaccination. Already, Egypt has reported approximately 1,030 cases of H1N1 flu, and three deaths. Thirty-five experts in Egypt have gathered to work on the first batch of H1N1 flu vaccine, which is aimed to be ready by April 2011. The first batch will consist of 6,000 units; this will follow a test to examine the efficiency of the vaccine.
Egypt is working closely with World Health Organization (WHO) to increase their capacity in meeting these goals by acquiring a grant and obtaining technical guidance. Health Minister Hatem el-Gabali stated that Egypt has already contracted to buy 5 million vaccines. However, they requested from WHO 15 million more and 5 million additional from the private sector.
Meanwhile, the distribution is primarily for public workers and school children. Gabali implies that Egypt will vaccinate all students (20 million, but kindergarten to secondary school first), and then those in critical jobs (10 million) if possible.


Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE59B4S120091012

(Reliability: 8)

Comment: The third death from swine flu was reported on October 9, 2009, it was a 23 year old woman from Giza province.

Egypt Universities Face Swine Flu

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)

Dreads of Swine Flu under Rubbish Threat in Egypt

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)

Egypt Joins Fight Against Swine Flu Ahead of Hajj

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.