Health News

WHO raises pandemic alert to phase 5

Director General Margaret Chan Geneva  - World Health Organization Direc

Egypt starts slaughtering all pigs over swine flu

Egypt starts slaughtering all pigs over swine flu Cairo - Egypt began slaughtering thousands of pigs on Wednesday in a precaution against swine flu, although no cases have yet been reported in the country.

"It has been decided to slaughter all pigs in the country immediately," Minister of Health Hatem al-Gabali said Wednesday afternoon.

On Tuesday, the Egyptian parliament voted to slaughter the country's entire pig livestock of around 250,000 animals in a precautionary measure.

New York officials downplay threat of swine flu

New York officials downplay threat of swine flu New York - New York state officials Wednesday downplayed the fact that New York has the highest total of confirmed cases of swine flu among ten US states, saying the situation was inexplicable - even as health workers were investigating 75 more probable cases and some schools remained closed.

New York Governor David Paterson and his health commissioner, Richard Daines, who said the state currently has no vaccine designed for swine flu, said they did not consider the swine flu outbreak any more important than unseasonal flu in springtime.

Number of suspected swine flu cases rises to six in Israel

Number of suspected swine flu cases rises to six in IsraelTel Aviv - The number of suspected swine flu cases in Israel has risen to six, two of which have been confirmed with certainty, Israeli media reported Wednesday.

The number rose after an Israeli woman in her mid-50s returned from a trip to Mexico with symptoms. She has been hospitalized at Israel's Meir hospital in Kfar Saba, north-east of Tel Aviv.

She has been placed in quarantine and her condition was being described as "good."

Swine flu suspected of inflicting Marine

Swine flu suspected of inflicting MarineWashington - A US Marine is suspected of having contracted swine flu and has been quarantined at his base in California, the service said Wednesday.

The soldier and his roommate have been confined to their quarters for further evaluation, Marine Commandant General James Conway told reporters at the Pentagon. The roommate is not showing any symptoms, the general said.

The soldier sought medical attention on Saturday suffering from flu symptoms, Conway said.

"He was tested. The initial tests are that he is suspected to have the flu," Conway said.

Ban urges UN Security Council to join fight against swine flu

Ban urges UN Security Council to join fight against swine fluNew York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged the UN Security Council to join the international community in efforts to deal with the swine flu, which has spread to four continents.

Ban said the UN has taken the lead and gathered resources to fight the flu, working with the World Health Organization and governments. At UN headquarters, Ban's deputy secretary-general Asha-Rose Migiro is chairing a core group of UN officials to coordinate activities with WHO in Geneva.

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