As of 22 August 2009, 23:00 hours, Cairo time, 3,128 laboratory-confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were reported to the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of WHO by 20 out of 22 Member States of WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. A total of 458 of these reported cases were locally transmitted. There are 10 related deaths from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, so far, reported from Egypt (1), Iraq (1), Lebanon (1), Palestine (1), Saudi Arabia (4), Qatar (1) and Yemen (1).

Since the last reporting date (16 August 2009), an additional 130 laboratory-confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were reported from 5 Member States: Islamic Republic of Iran (42), Jordan (39), Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (7) and Morocco (25), Palestine (8), Pakistan (1), Syrian Arab Republic (4) and Yemen (4). No report was available from other countries. Some countries reported cases on retrospective dates.

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.