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Aswan Governorate
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Egypt on alert after hundreds of cases of diarrhea, gastroenteritis reported in Aswan
BY Egypt Today staff
Fri, 20 Sep 2024 - 11:17 GMT
CAIRO – 20 September 2024: Hundreds of cases suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis have been reported in Upper Egypt’s Aswan over the past few days, pushing the authorities to be on alert in the city and send more medical teams to investigate cause of the spread of these symptoms.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of Health said that Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar directed to send a medical team from the preventive medicine sector to Aswan to investigate the cause of this unknown disease.
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"No case of cholera has been confirmed in Aswan".. The government settles the controversy and proposes 3 directions for action
Saturday 09-21-2024 21:29 | Written by: Rana Shawky |
A state of controversy was raised on social media regarding the possibility of cholera cases in Aswan Governorate, and with it a torrent of questions was launched about “What is happening in Aswan?” and “Are there cholera cases in Aswan now?” which caused panic among citizens. Immediately, awareness posts about cholera and water contamination were launched by non-specialists on the same social media sites.
However, the situation on the ground is quite different. In response to these concerns, the Egyptian government moved quickly to resolve the controversy and clarify the facts about the health situation in the governorate.
No cholera cases in Aswan
"There are no cholera cases in Aswan Governorate, and tests are being conducted on those suffering from intestinal infections, and no cases of cholera have been proven," Major General Ismail Kamal, Governor of Aswan , confirmed during a phone call to the "Tahrir Hall" program on "Sada El Balad" channel, that the health situation in Aswan is stable, and that what has been circulated about the spread of cholera in the governorate is incorrect. The governor stated that some citizens suffer from intestinal infections, which may be the result of consuming contaminated food or water, but he stressed that all tests conducted did not prove any cases of cholera in Aswan. He confirmed that 103 water stations in the governorate have been examined, and all of them meet health specifications.
Ministry of Health's moves: Three axes to confront intestinal flu
In a press conference held on the sidelines of his visit to several pharmaceutical factories in 6th of October City, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, the Egyptian Minister of Health and Population, explained that the ministry is moving on three main axes to deal with the health situation in Aswan.
Checking the safety of drinking water: Samples were taken from 103 water stations in Aswan Governorate to check their quality, and all results were reassuring that the water is safe to drink.
Ensuring hospital readiness: Specialized medical teams visited hospitals in the governorate, including Al-Sadaka Specialized Hospital, Al-Masalla Hospital, and the University Hospital, to ensure their ability to deal with infected cases.
Through dealing with the cases, it became clear that most of them were suffering from acute intestinal infections resulting from food or drink contamination, and there were no confirmed cases of cholera.
Investigation of food sources and street vendors: Measures have been taken to monitor food outlets, especially in areas where gastroenteritis has occurred, to ensure that there are no practices that could lead to the spread of contamination.
Sickness in Aswan
The situation in Aswan now between exaggerations and rumors
During the statements, the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister indicated that what is being circulated about the cholera outbreak in Aswan is considered a kind of exaggeration and rumors, calling on citizens to remain calm and rely on official information issued by the government and the Ministry of Health. He added that the recorded cases have begun to recover, and that the number of new cases is very small, indicating that the health crisis will end in the coming days.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that medical teams are still in Aswan to closely monitor the health situation, and that a final report will be issued within 48 hours after completing the examination of the internal networks of the homes and villages in which the infections were recorded.
Despite concerns raised about the spread of cholera in Aswan Governorate, the Egyptian government confirms that the situation is under control and that there are no cholera cases. The Ministry of Health continues to closely monitor the situation, stressing the importance of relying on official information to avoid falling into the trap of rumors.
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Symptoms of illness" in Aswan, Egypt, raise concerns
The government has taken measures to uncover the source of infections.
Cairo: Ahmed Imbaby
Last update: 12:53 - September 22, 2024 AD - 19 Rabi` al-Awwal 1446 AH
Published: 18:19-20 September 2024 AD - 17 Rabi` al-Awwal 1446 AH
"Symptoms of illness" among some residents of the southern Egyptian city of Aswan have raised concerns among citizens, amid government moves to uncover the source of these infections.
The Egyptian government announced several measures, following the spread of infections with symptoms of "intestinal flu", while the Egyptian Ministry of Health sent specialized medical examination committees to identify the source of the infections and analyze drinking water to ensure its safety.
While the Ministry of Health ruled out the scenario of an “epidemic threat in the governorate,” parliamentarians and experts gave varying explanations about the reason for the spread of the disease. However, they indicated that the infections may be due to “contamination in water or food, or due to a seasonal infection.”
The cases of gastroenteritis were concentrated in the village of Abu al-Rish, located about 20 kilometers north of Aswan, according to a resident of the area who preferred to remain anonymous. He said that the increasing number of infected people in recent days “has raised a state of fear among the residents,” explaining to Asharq Al-Awsat that “some families have moved to other areas in Aswan Governorate, after rumors spread that the cause of the infections was water pollution or cholera.”
However, medical sources in Aswan ruled out that “the cause of the infections was cholera.” They told Asharq Al-Awsat: “If this scenario were true, the infections would have been many times greater, and from different cities and villages in Aswan.” They suggested that the cause of the intestinal flu was “contaminated drinking water.”
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced the dispatch of medical teams to investigate the source of the disease cases that appeared in Aswan. He pointed out during a press conference on Thursday that "the drinking water in the governorate was tested and its safety was confirmed." He added that the likelihood indicates that "what happened may have been due to contaminated food there, or due to a seasonal infection that spreads in Aswan in the summer," explaining that "the number of infections reached about 200 cases that were received in the governorate's hospitals."
For its part, the Ministry of Health stated that based on an inspection by a central team from the Preventive Medicine Sector, “a number of patients suffering from symptoms of intestinal flu (diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting) were observed visiting four hospitals in Aswan Governorate.” It said that “63 of them were admitted, while the health condition of the remaining patients did not require hospitalization, after they were given appropriate treatment.”
The ministry's statement on Thursday evening confirmed that "there is no epidemiological link between all cases so far, as the majority of cases are from the Abu al-Rish and Daraw areas in Aswan, each of which has a separate water station." It noted that "the analysis of drinking water at the two stations showed that it complies with health specifications." The ministry advised citizens to take precautionary measures to avoid contracting intestinal flu, and not to pay attention to widespread rumors regarding the sources of infections.
For his part, MP Ali Al-Badri, a member of the House of Representatives (Parliament) for Aswan Governorate, said that “there is no specific reason for the spread of intestinal infections in Aswan during the past few days,” noting that the explanations suggest either “contamination of drinking water, which was denied after analyzing water sources at more than one drinking water station in the governorate,” or due to “food contamination or a seasonal infection that usually spreads in Aswan at this time.”
Procedures for analyzing drinking water in Aswan Governorate (Aswan Drinking Water Company)
For its part, the Aswan Drinking Water and Wastewater Company denied on Thursday that there was “contamination in drinking water.” Al-Badry explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that “the situation is currently stable, due to the absence of new infections,” noting that he “followed up on the condition of the infected inside hospitals and reviewed government procedures.”
MP Ahmed Mohamed Saleh, a member of the House of Representatives for Aswan Governorate, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the situation in the governorate is “stable now after medical teams and the Drinking Water Company’s devices verified the safety of the water in the various water stations in Aswan,” suggesting that the cause of the infections is “high temperature or pollution,” noting that “medical convoys are providing health and medical services to areas where infections are widespread to ensure the stability of health conditions.”
Aswan Governor during a meeting of hospital directors in the governorate to raise the level of preparedness to deal with disease cases (Aswan Governorate)
On the ground, Aswan Governor Ismail Kamal held a meeting on Friday with hospital directors in the governorate, in the presence of the Egyptian Deputy Minister of Health, Amr Qandil. He stressed “raising the level of maximum readiness within hospitals to provide all aspects of medical care for any emergency cases of intestinal diseases resulting from viruses or food and drink consumption,” noting that “these infections occur continuously in the summer,” according to a statement from Aswan Governorate.
Saleh Mohammed Saleh, director of external relations at the Regional Federation of Civil Society Organizations in Aswan, a resident of Abu al-Rish village, believes that “there is no justification for the fear among citizens after the government’s intervention to ensure the safety of water and preventive measures in the governorate.” He explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that “there is no clear reason for the infections,” but he pointed out that “concerns persist among many segments of citizens, in light of what is being said that the source of the infections is water pollution.”
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Ministry of Health Comments on Wave of Diseases Reported in Aswan
Saturday، 21 September 2024 - 07:00
Ministry of Health Comments on Wave of Diseases Reported in Aswan
The spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, commented on the progress of examining samples taken from water stations in Aswan, southern Upper Egypt, following reports of an outbreak of an unspecified disease.
“The first indicators of examining the samples confirm that there is no change related to the presence of specific bacteria in the water or in food samples taken from street vendors,” he explained.
Several citizens in Aswan have recently reported fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea for unknown reasons.
The ministry ordered the dispatch of a central team from the Preventive Medicine Sector to find out the cause of this mysterious disease.
In a telephone interview with Extra News channel, Abdel-Ghaffar explained the details of the cases suffering from symptoms of nausea and symptoms of the digestive system in Aswan and said: “There is an improvement in cases suffering from symptoms of the digestive system, thanks to the efforts of the ministry to treat these cases.”
He pointed out that Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly had ordered all relevant agencies, headed by Aswan Governor Ismail Kamal, to reach the root cause of these symptoms and provide appropriate treatment services.
Abdel-Ghaffar gave general advice to citizens to prevent symptoms of the digestive system, including washing hands before and after eating, cooking food well, washing fruits and vegetables, ensuring that food is clean, avoiding food from street vendors, and obtaining food only from safe sources.
https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/169329/Commentaires-du-minist%C3%A8re-de-la-Sant%C3%A9-sur--la-vague-maladie%2C-signal%C3%A9e-%C3%A0-Assouan?lang=fr
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Egypt investigates outbreak of intestinal catarrh cases in Aswan
Saturday، 21 September 2024 - 09:17 PM
The Ministry of Health and Population has opened an investigation into an outbreak of intestinal catarrh cases reported over the past few days in the southern governorate of Aswan.
A final report on the causes behind the rising cases will be released within 48 hours, the Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar told a press conference on Saturday following an inspection tour of pharmaceutical factories in Giza.
Minister Abdel-Ghaffar said most cases, who presented with diarrhoea as a symptom, were concentrated in the areas of Abu Al-Rish and Daraw.
The cases were primarily caused by acute intestinal flu, likely due to contaminated food or drink, added Abdel-Ghaffar.
Hospitals in Aswan, he added, had received 128 cases displaying symptoms similar to those of intestinal flu, with 22 patients already discharged.
The ministry, Abdel-Ghaffar noted, is investigating several potential causes, including analyzing water samples, visiting the homes of infected families, and examining internal plumbing systems.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly had previously reported approximately 200 intestinal flu cases in Aswan, assuring that most patients were discharged.
Earlier today, the health ministry said it has sent medical teams to the country’s southern governorate to investigate the situation.
According to a health ministry statement on Saturday, a team from the ministry's Preventive Medicine Sector has already visited local hospitals in Aswan, met with patients, and conducted home visits in villages.
The hospitals included the University Hospital, Al-Masalla Hospital, Al-Sadaka Hospital, and Daraw Central Hospital, where the team examined patients and monitored medical services.
Additionally, the team has visited homes in some villages within the Daraw administration, meeting with residents and providing them with health awareness and guidance.
Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, also pointed out that a virtual workshop was conducted for physicians and departmental heads at the governorate's hospitals to acquaint them with the protocol for diagnosing, treating, reserving, and referring cases of intestinal flu.
He added that a meeting will be held to raise the awareness of doctors in primary care units affiliated with the Health Care Authority—responsible for health insurance medical units— on the appropriate management of intestinal flu cases.
Furthermore, Abdel-Ghaffar said the health minister has instructed hospital directors to ensure the adequate availability of necessary supplies and medications.
Governor of Aswan Major General Ismail Kamal reassured the public on Saturday that the situation was under control and that the government was handling the recent crisis transparently.
"There is no need to hide any details," he said.
In a phone interview with MBC Misr channel, Kamal confirmed that municipal authorities had inspected water stations, including those at homes, to ensure compliance with technical specifications.
He added that all water networks within the governorate have been disinfected.
Moreover, campaigns conducted at food and beverage shops resulted in disposing of approximately a ton of spoiled food.
Ahramonline
https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/195944/...wan?lang=en-us
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