CAIRO: Over 450 hospitals nationwide are on high alert as the Ministry of Health warns against “emerging flu” cases due to the drop of temperatures around the country. Two people suspected to have swine flu were quarantined in the governorate of Mansoura Thursday morning after they reported flu-like symptoms including coughing and sore throat, according to the Ministry of Health. The two patients, a 54-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man, were given the tamiflu vaccine immediately and underwent further testing. Seven other patients were tested for swine flu results were negative. Deputy Minister of Health for Precautionary Affairs, Nasr El-Sayed, said that they are closely monitoring swine flu in the upcoming period. The highest number of swine flu cases was reported in Egypt during the last week of December 2009 and beginning of January 2010. However, officials at the Ministry of Health are expecting the number of swine flu cases to be lower this year given the public's increased awareness of the precautionary measures, as well as the symptoms of the H1N1 virus. This, officials say, will lead patients to report to the nearest hospital once they develop any symptoms. Earlier this month, official spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Abdel Rahman Shahin warned of an expected outbreak of the H1N1 virus in the upcoming couple of months. The virus started appearing again with 75 reported cases during late October and November, however Shahin confirmed that there is nothing to fear, citing the World Health Organization's Director General, Margaret Chan, latest statement regarding the virus. “As we enter the post-pandemic period, this does not mean that the H1N1 virus has gone away. Based on experience with past pandemics, we expect the H1N1 virus to take on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come. “In the post-pandemic period, localized outbreaks of different magnitude may show significant levels of H1N1 transmission,” she said in the August 10 statement. The Ministry of Health advises all citizens to take all precautionary measures against the virus in the upcoming period, including sanitization, proper ventilation at the workplace and at home, covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and avoiding crowded places.
