At least 25 cases of H1N1, or more commonly known as swine flu, have been reported in the UAE as the disease resurfaces world over, according to a health official.
The cases came to light while authorities were testing patients for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers-Coronavirus) which, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), has infected 189 people and caused 82 deaths the world over, but more so in Saudi Arabia.
Mers has symptoms similar to H1N1 but is of a more aggressive nature.
“The disease has re-emerged as seasonal influenza after a gap of 3-4 years,” said Dr Ashraf Al Houfi, Head of UAE’s Infection Control Committee.
In 2009-2010, a strain of influenza A (H1N1) had caused the swine flu pandemic leading to several deaths around the globe and severe respiratory illnesses. Hundreds were infected and at least three deaths were reported due to the disease by the UAE health ministry in 2009. The WHO declared the end of the pandemic influenza in August 2010. Since then the virus has been circulating in humans as seasonal influenza virus.
Since February this year, at least 40 people have died of swine in Egypt while cases have been reported in Syria.
“We started noticing an increased number of cases by late December and when we compared the count to the numbers of the previous year, we found a higher occurrence,” he said.
Dr El Houfi, however, said that the flu appeared to be seasonal and was expected to wane by the end of next month.
“We have been urging people to take the flu vaccine which covers the swine flu as well but many have been reluctant,” he said. “However, they are clambering now even as we hope that the virus will fade away as the weather changes,” he added.
Swine flu, also classified as influenza A (H1N1) pdm (pandemic) 2009, is a human disease and people get it from other people. The disease originally was nicknamed swine flu because the
virus that causes the disease originally jumped to humans from the live pigs in which it evolved.
Like Mers, H1N1 affects each person differently but pregnant women, children under five, people with chronic underlying conditions and the elderly are at a higher risk from the virus which can lead to other medical complications.
Dr El Houfi said that all concerned authorities in the country were well equipped to handle any outbreak. “There is nothing to be worried about since we have all the diagnostics and medications to counter the illnesses,” he explained.
Health authorities have already activated the contingency plan of surveillance, testing, isolating and treating any suspected cases, he said.
