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Source: http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZA...20preparedness
Qatar: Testing kits from US add to flu preparedness
27 May 2009
DOHA: Qatar, which remains free from swine flu, has stepped up measures to prevent the spread of the virus into the country with the arrival of testing kits capable of detecting its presence. With H1N1 cases being confirmed in neighbouring GCC states, the testing kits will be of great help for preventive measures being taken by the country.
"Qatar is at the yellow level of full preparedness for the pandemic," said Mohammed Al Thani, Director of Public Health Department, Supreme Council of Health. "We yesterday received testing kits from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, US, through the World Health Organisation, in order to differentiate the actual Influenza virus A (H1N1) from other viruses within three hours," he said yesterday.
Until now, 10 to 20 patients coming from the US, Canada and other affected countries have been tested for the virus but none of the tests were positive. So far, the primary analysis of the samples was being done in Qatar and the results were being confirmed at the WHO headquarters and the WHO regional office.
"With the new test kits, the confirmation tests will be carried out in Qatar. There is no need to send samples for confirmation to the WHO. However, the samples will still be sent so as to follow up the virus and check for different mutant types of flu virus circulating in the country and the region," Mohammed Al Thani said
Qatar's strategy for combating swine flu includes preparations for the pre-pandemic phase as well as the pandemic phase, in case of an outbreak in the country. With a weekly high-level meeting, surveillance at all ports of entry and a hotline and internet services dedicated to the flu, Qatar is working to prevent the entry and spread of the disease in the country.
By Huda N V
? The Peninsula 2009
Qatar: Testing kits from US add to flu preparedness
27 May 2009
DOHA: Qatar, which remains free from swine flu, has stepped up measures to prevent the spread of the virus into the country with the arrival of testing kits capable of detecting its presence. With H1N1 cases being confirmed in neighbouring GCC states, the testing kits will be of great help for preventive measures being taken by the country.
"Qatar is at the yellow level of full preparedness for the pandemic," said Mohammed Al Thani, Director of Public Health Department, Supreme Council of Health. "We yesterday received testing kits from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, US, through the World Health Organisation, in order to differentiate the actual Influenza virus A (H1N1) from other viruses within three hours," he said yesterday.
Until now, 10 to 20 patients coming from the US, Canada and other affected countries have been tested for the virus but none of the tests were positive. So far, the primary analysis of the samples was being done in Qatar and the results were being confirmed at the WHO headquarters and the WHO regional office.
"With the new test kits, the confirmation tests will be carried out in Qatar. There is no need to send samples for confirmation to the WHO. However, the samples will still be sent so as to follow up the virus and check for different mutant types of flu virus circulating in the country and the region," Mohammed Al Thani said
Qatar's strategy for combating swine flu includes preparations for the pre-pandemic phase as well as the pandemic phase, in case of an outbreak in the country. With a weekly high-level meeting, surveillance at all ports of entry and a hotline and internet services dedicated to the flu, Qatar is working to prevent the entry and spread of the disease in the country.
By Huda N V
? The Peninsula 2009