WHO EMRO - Surveillance, Forecasting and Response (CSR) - Pandemic Influenza, Situation Update (August 16 2009, edited)

[Giuseppe]

WHO EMRO - Surveillance, Forecasting and Response (CSR) - Pandemic Influenza, Situation Update (August 16 2009, edited)

Influenza A (H1N1) - Latest situation in the Region - Last update: 16 August 2009


What is the situation in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region?

To date, 2802 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.


[As of 15 August 2009, 23:00 hours Cairo time: Country - Total laboratory-confirmed cases reported by the state parties - Total deaths reported by the state parties]

1. Afghanistan 32 - 0
2. Bahrain 83 - 0
3. Egypt 314 - 1
4. Islamic Republic of Iran 196 - 0
5. Iraq 96 - 1
6. Jordan 99 - 0
7. Kuwait 560 - 0
8. Lebanon 352 - 1
9. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 10 - 0
10. Morocco 84 - 0
11. Oman 123 - 0
12. Pakistan 1 - 0
13. Palestine 108 - 0
14. Qatar 23 - 1
15. Saudi Arabia 595 - 4
16. Sudan 2 - 0
17. Syrian Arab Republic 13 - 0
18. Tunisia 19 - 0
19. United Arab Emirates 79 - 0
20. Yemen 13 - 0

• Total 2802 - 8

As of 15 August 2009, 23:00 hours, Cairo time, 2,802 laboratory-confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 have been reported to WHO Regional Office by 20 out of 22 Member States of WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.

A total of 421 of these reported cases were locally transmitted.

There are 8 related deaths from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 reported from Egypt (1), Saudi Arabia (4), Lebanon (1), Iraq (1) and Qatar (1).

Since the last reporting date (09 August 2009), an additional 242 laboratory-confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were reported from 5 Member States: Islamic Republic of Iran (52), Iraq (29), Lebanon (142), Libya (1) and Morocco (18).


What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A(H1N1)?

You can prevent yourself from infection by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (try to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:

• avoid touching your mouth and nose;
• clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
• avoid close contact with people who might be ill;
• reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
• improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
• practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

Should I take an antiviral now as a preventive measure against the new virus?

No. You should only take an antiviral, such as oseltamivir or zanamivir, if your health care provider advises you to do so. Individuals should not buy medicines to prevent or fight this new influenza without a prescription, and are advised not to buy such antivirals over the internet.
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<cite cite="http://www.emro.who.int/csr/h1n1/">WHO EMRO - Surveillance, Forecasting and Response (CSR)</cite>