Saudi Arabia: Swine flu now in 2nd phase

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RIYADH – The Ministry of HealthMinistry of Health has said that the second wave of swine flu began earlier this month as expected due to a drop in temperatures.

A ministryministry statement issued Friday says that the number of cases in the Kingdom has risen in line with other countries in the northern hemisphere, as confirmed by World Health Organization statistics, resulting in an increase in fatalities.

“WHO has advised countries to prepare for the ‘second wave’ of the A-H1N1 pandemic, and the Ministry of HealthMinistry of Health would like to reassure the public of its readiness through the National Scientific Plan to combat the virus in its various waves’,” the statement says.

“This follows the line of previous action since the appearance of the virus conforming to WHO policies and recommendations and those of disease control centers in the US and Europe.”

The ministryministry further urges the public to heed official advice and guidelines which include seeking immediate medical consultation should any symptoms appear, as well as preventive measures such as washing hands and avoiding crowds. The statement also reminds the public of the ministry’s toll-free number – 8002494444 - and its information website at HYPERLINK “http://www.moh.gov.sa” www.moh.gov.sa for further enquiries on the virus.

The World Health Organization has launched a program to give H1N1 flu vaccines to nearly 100 developing countries, with the first ones receiving the shots soon, its vaccine expert said Friday.

Marie-Paule Kieny, head of vaccine research at the UN health body, said a group of 16 countries was being contacted and should shortly receive enough vaccines to inoculate up to 2 percent of the population. The countries were recommended to vaccinate health care workers first, she told a news conference.

Eventually the WHO would supply 95 developing countries with a view to immunising over 10 percent of their population. – Okaz/SG with agencies

against pandemic H1N1, widely known as swine flu.

WHO has received donations of 156 million doses of vaccine from four manufacturers or governments, and hoped to reach the 200 million dose level needed to help 95 countries, she said.

By Faleh Al-Dhibyani

© The Saudi Gazette 2009