Egyptian health authorities are becoming more concerned about the risk of the H1N1 swine flu virus and the much deadlier H5N1 avian flu virus combining with seasonal human influenza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that while the H1N1 virus was stable and there was no sign of it mixing with avian flu or other influenza viruses, the influenza virus itself is highly unpredictable and has the potential for mutation.
Speaking to news agency KUNA, Egypt’s Minister of Health, Hatem Al-Gabali, said swine and avian flu both pose a danger to human health.
The minister has urged all citizens to be vigilant and take preventative measures to limit the spread of avian flu now described as endemic in Egypt.
He added that Egypt had reported a total of 82 avian flu human cases since the virus first surfaced in the country, including 27 deaths – the highest rate in the world.
The Egyptian government has set in motion a plan to curb the disease ahead of the school year, scheduled to start on September 26.
To date, 329 swine flu cases have been detected in Egypt, with one death reported. Some 236 cases have recovered – the remainder still receiving medication at hospital.
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