Influenza A/H1N1 cases found in Gaza: officials
www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-06 19:09:48 Print
GAZA, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Influenza A/H1N1 cases have been found in Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territories, and hit at least five people amid blackout by the coastal enclave's Islamist rulers, Palestinian health officials said Sunday.
Omar al-Nasser, media director at the health ministry in the West Bank, said five patients have reported to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza city suffering from the virus, including two serious cases.
On Saturday, Hamas health officials said the patients have suffered regular flu, which is common in this time of the year.
But Dr. al-Nasser said that "the coup powers (Hamas) imposes a blackout and block accurate information" to prevent his ministry from carrying out its services in Gaza.
Al-Nasser revealed that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) had sent 6,000 vaccines to Gaza to be used for medical crews and pilgrims who had performed the annual Hajj to Mecca.
In the West Bank, 1,200 Palestinians have been infected by the A/H1N1 virus and nine of them had passed away.
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