The Health Ministry announced cases of the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu, have resulted in deaths in the city of Mansoura, as the virus has become part of the seasonal influenza.
Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Kamel explained that the H1N1 virus constitutes 11.6 percent of the seasonal influenza, followed by the A/H3 virus which takes 8.2 percent, and the FluB virus that takes 4.5 percent.
“Influenza is a viral disease that infects 25 million to 50 million people every year worldwide,” he said. “And 30,000 to 40,000 people die of it.”
He said in a statement that the ministry has taken all measures to monitor the influenza and avoid its spreading. “We monitor respiratory diseases through eight clinics across the country,” he said.
In regards to the H5N1 virus known as the bird flu, Kamel said four cases were reported in 2013 and 284 others are still suspected. “The last case was a 25-year-old woman who died in Sohag last May,” he said, adding that the virus has not resisted the Tamiflu medication.
He said Tamiflu can cure H1N1 cases of groups with risk, such as pregnant women, children less than 5 years old, and the elderly over 65 years of age with chronic diseases.
“Hygiene procedures, such as frequent washing of hands and covering the nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing, are recommended,” he said. “Also pilgrims should take the influenza vaccine.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
