116 Kuwaiti pupils catch swine flu since start of term

Up to 122 swine flu cases have been reported at Kuwaiti public schools since the start of the new term on September 27, education chiefs have announced.

The Ministry of Education's figures came as the Gulf state also reported another swine flu related death, its 12th.

The ministry said that it would announce figures about swine flu cases at schools every week for the next two months, in line with a policy based on transparency and responsibility, KUNA News Agency reported.

A ministry statement said the cases had been reported in 24 schools, including 82 male students and 34 girls.

Among the teachers there were six cases, it said, affirming that all the patients were treated successfully.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Kuwait has so far spent around KD4 million ($13.9m) on precautionary and safety strategies to tackle the swine flu virus.

Abdulfattah Al-Asmawy, the health ministry's undersecretary for Financial Affairs, said the funds had been used to buy additional sterilisers and medical equipment across Kuwaiti schools, along with 120 new clinics including medical teams.

Most of the sick students recovered after receiving the treatment at their homes, the official statement added.

Meanwhile, an expatriate has died from swine flu-related illnesses. The death of the 46-year-old male brought the total number of fatalities in Kuwait to 12.

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