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ISRAEL: Measures taken to combat swine flu

TEL AVIV, 27 April 2009 (IRIN) - The Israeli Health Ministry issued a special notice on 26 April on the country’s preparedness for the possibility of a swine flu outbreak.

Any patient displaying symptoms of a sudden respiratory condition (high fever of 38 degrees Celsius, and two of the following conditions: coughing, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath) and who has visited countries where swine flu is rife in the seven days before the appearance of these symptoms, or was in contact with anyone who might have been infected with swine flu, or who has been in contact with laboratory samples containing A/H1N1 (swine flu virus), will be considered a suspect of swine flu infection, the notice said.

Patients suspected of being infected with the A/H1N1 virus will be treated with the same measures that were taken to prevent avian flu infections. These include special protection for the medical staff (the wearing of gowns, gloves and protective masks) and close monitoring and documentation of the staff and patients. Blood samples will be taken to determine the nature of the patients’ infection, it added.

The Health Ministry says it has stocks of Tamiflu, a drug for avian flu treatment and prevention in adults and children, and which doctors say might prove effective against swine flu.

Israel has a supply of Tamiflu to treat nearly 25 percent of the country’s population of over 7.2 million people, according to a source in the Health Ministry who was involved in the anti-avian flu preparedness campaign in 2005 but who preferred anonymity.

One person in quarantine

On 26 April a 25-year-old Israeli was hospitalised and put in quarantine soon after returning from Mexico with symptoms of light flu. Blood samples were taken to determine whether he had indeed contracted swine flu.

Local media, however, say the patient was not put in quarantine immediately but left outside in the hall where he may have come into contact with many other patients and visitors. Results from the samples should be known later on 27 April, according to hospital sources.

Magen David Adom (Mada), the equivalent of a national Red Cross/Red Crescent society in Israel, has since instructed that blood donated by anyone who visited Mexico in the past week should be rejected.

People are being advised to take basic precautions, including covering nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. They are also advised to wash their hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.

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Copyright © IRIN 2009
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