Published Date: 2010-02-18 15:32:10
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (11): Egypt
Archive Number: 20100218.205604

INFLUENZA PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009 (11): EGYPT
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Date: Wed 17 Feb 2010
Source: Daily News Egypt [edited]
http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=27901


The Ministry of Health has announced that the number of swine flu
[influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection] cases in Egypt has
reached 16 053, out of which 268 have died since the A (H1N1) virus
first appeared in the country last June [2009]. The total number
includes 5589 cases among school students and 862 university students.

The latest virus-related death was that of a 39-year-old woman from
Beheira governorate on Monday [15 Feb 2010] , according to Abdel
Rahman Shahin, spokesman of the Ministry of Health. 79 percent of
[influenza A (H1N1)] related deaths were patients of chronic
illnesses and pregnant women. More than 97 percent of the reported
cases have recovered.

In a related note, Amr Kandil, deputy minister of health for
preventive medicine, announced that everyone traveling to Saudi
Arabia to perform Umrah pilgrimage (pilgrimage to Mecca at any time
of the year), has to be vaccinated against [influenza A (H1N1)], in
addition to the other mandatory vaccinations -- seasonal flu and
meningitis. This upcoming Umrah season marks the celebration of
Prophet Mohamed's birthday.

Around the country, the rate of [influenza A (H1N1)] cases reported
has been declining and will continue to do so until April [2010],
Shahin said. However, the ministry is still on alert for a new wave
of the virus expected in March [2010]. The highest number of
[influenza A (H1N1)] cases was reported in the last week of December [2009].

The World Health Organization confirmed the decline in the number of
cases in its situation update released [Fri 12 Feb 2010]. "In North
Africa, pandemic influenza transmission persists but substantial
declines in activity have been observed over the past month across the region.

"In Morocco, levels of ILI [influenza-like illness] have returned to
near baseline, and in Egypt, the number of confirmed cases has
declined considerably," WHO said in the update.

[Byline: Safaa Abdoun]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR


[The current report indicates that pandemic influenza (H1N1) activity
has declined in Egypt and in the whole of North Africa. Nonetheless,
the authorities should continue keeping surveillance up to detect any
changes in the current trend.

The governorates of Egypt can be seen via the map at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governorates_of_Egypt. The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Egypt is available at
http://healthmap.org/r/008F. - Mod.JFW]

See Also

Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (10): Senegal 20100209.205388
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (09): Egypt 20100201.205225
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (08): Egypt 20100121.205062
Influenza Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (07): Rwanda 20100117.204971
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (06): Mali 20100116.204944
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (05): Egypt 20100116.204942
2009
----
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (59): Sudan 20091229.204538
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (60): Algeria 20091229.204537
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (57): Morocco 20091229.204536
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (58): Tanzania 20091229.204531
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (56): Egypt 20091229.204530

[Additional background information on influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009
is available from the general ProMED-mail list. The postings below
can be found at http://www.promedmail.org. - Mod.JFW

[Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (17): WHO Update 20100216.0546
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (16): myocarditis in children 20100215.0526
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (15): update 20100214.0522
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (13): vaccine recall 20100204.0379
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (12): vaccine distribution, WHO update 20100202.0359
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (11): WHO statement to CE 20100126.0289
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (09): WHO update 20100119.0221
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (08): USA (vaccine safety), Mongolia 20100117.0194
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (07): China, travel alert 20100115.0180
...................................jfw/mj/be

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