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Health Minister Sounds Swine Flu Pandemic Alarm Bell in Lebanon

Health Minister Mohammed Jawad Khalifeh has sounded alarm bells after test results showed that 80% of those who have the flu are carrying the H1N1 virus in Lebanon.
Khalifeh told As Safir newspaper in remarks published Wednesday that tests carried out by several laboratories under the ministry's supervision on 2,000 cases revealed that 40% of them had flu, among which 80% were infected with swine flu.

Such a fact prompted the health ministry to ask all hospitals and clinics to consider each person struck by flu as carrying the H1N1 virus.

"This means that we have moved to the stage of epidemic not only on the local level but also on the international level," the minister said. "This has been expected and the epidemic doesn't mean that it is fatal. On the contrary, all cases were cured except for two cases not directly linked to the epidemic."

Khalifeh told As Safir that most people infected with H1N1 are being cured at home by taking medications such as Panadol and Tylenol. However, when high body temperature is registered, swine flu patients are undergoing treatment at hospital.

The minister also unveiled that the ministry will provide the anti-viral drug Tamiflu to state hospitals and distribute them for free to children.

Khalifeh reiterated to Voice of Lebanon on Wednesday that seasonal flu will be of the H1N1 type this winter.

Beirut, 25 Nov 09, 08:01


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