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Afghanistan + 18 more

Influenza A (H1N1): Eastern Mediterranean Region - WHO latest update, 02 Aug 2009

What is the situation in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region?

As of 01 August 2009, 23:00 hours, Cairo time, 1778 laboratory-confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 have been reported to WHO Regional Office by 20 Member States of WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. A total of 299 of these reported cases were locally transmitted. There are six related deaths reported from Egypt (1), Saudi Arabia (4) and Lebanon (1).

Since the last reporting period, an additional 477 laboratory-confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were reported from 11 Member States: Egypt (48), Iran (29), Iraq (9), Jordan (4), Kuwait (9), Lebanon (2), Morocco (3), Oman (5), Pakistan (1), Saudi Arabia (363) and Syrian Arab Republic (4).

On 31 July, Pakistan became the latest country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to report a case of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection for the first time.

To date, 1778 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
As of 2 August 2009, 23:00 hours Cairo time
Country
Total laboratory-confirmed cases reported by the state parties
Total deaths reported by the state parties
Afghanistan
15
Bahrain
83
Egypt
274
1
Islamic Republic of Iran
361
Iraq
458
Jordan
79
Kuwait
154
Lebanon
156
1
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
9
Morocco
56
Oman
24
Pakistan
1
Palestine
80
Qatar
23
Saudi Arabia
595
4
Sudan
2
Syrian Arab Republic
9
Tunisia
10
United Arab Emirates
79
Yemen
10
Total
1778
6

What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A(H1N1)?

You can prevent yourself from infection by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (try to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:

- avoid touching your mouth and nose;

- clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);

- avoid close contact with people who might be ill;

- reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;

- improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;

- practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

Should I take an antiviral now as a preventive measure against the new virus?

No. You should only take an antiviral, such as oseltamivir or zanamivir, if your health care provider advises you to do so. Individuals should not buy medicines to prevent or fight this new influenza without a prescription, and are advised not to buy such antivirals over the internet.