Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 4 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates

[sharon sanders]

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 3 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 3 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

Update:

1)Dr. Ahmed Abdullatif - deceased
Egypt - Ministry of Health closes private hospital after death of a doctor from pneumonia - negligence alleged - Banha, Qalyubia governorate - December 28

2)Dr. Osama Rashid - deceased
Egypt - Doctor, 37, hospitalized suspected novel coronavirus - tests pending - Mansoura, Dakahlia governorate - January 8

3)Dr. Doaa Ahmed Ismail - deceased
Egypt - Unknown respiratory virus killed pregnant doctor - alleged to be coronavirus - another hospitalized - in Dakahia governorate January 17

4)Dr. Yasser Barbary - deceased
Egypt - Health denies infectious diseases in hospitals in Qaliubiya governorate after the death of a doctor - investigation demanded by coalition of doctors - January 18

5)Dr. Ahmed Ahawadvy - hospitalized on respirator in Cairo
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...0&postcount=13 - January (presumed) 23

6)Dr. Maha Abdel Moneim - resident at Mansoura Children's Hospital in Dakahlia governorate - hospitalized at undisclosed fever hospital Dakahlia http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=524196&postcount=40 - February 5

There are references in the media about an additional 1-3 doctors seriously ill with a respiratory illness but I do not have those references at this time.

 

[tetano]

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 4 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

As possible cases of swine flu spread in different parts of the country, the Ministry of Health and the Doctors' Syndicate continue to argue the scale and the nature of the viral disease.

Two months after repeated warnings from the Doctors? Syndicate that an epidemic of influenza is coming, Egypt's Ministry of Health has finally acknowledged 24 deaths from swine flu over the last two months. In a press conference Tuesday, the ministry said a total of 195 had suffered severe respiratory symptoms diagnosed as H1N1, known since 2009 as swine flu.

The death of four doctors, at least two from complications of respiratory illnesses, and the infection of two others with swine flu in the past month alarmed the Doctors? Syndicate, which asked the ministry to form an independent fact-finding committee to look into the cases and determine whether the cause was swine flu, a mutated version of the disease, or another epidemic.

The ministry said that the four doctors who died were not diagnosed by H1N1 while acknowledging that two other doctors were actually infected with H1N1. The ministry also said the 24 death cases it confirmed involved various risk factors: being elderly, pregnant, or those with immune or respiratory diseases.

Meanwhile, the ministry assured the public that the last case of bird flu was reported in April 2013, brushing off fears that the epidemic that hit Egypt in 2006 and can be transimitted through close contact with birds had come back.

However, doctors believe that the ministry denied for a long time a possible new epidemic, and that the "rush" into assuring that "everything is ok" without clear screening and a transparent process of sampling allows for the ministry's announced numbers to be questioned.

"We are facing a pneumonia that kills even at a young age, which is not common, and this needs a serious effort to deal with it. We need statistics. Only the ministry is capable of doing it. We are not an executive entity," Mona Mina, secretary general of the Doctors' Syndicate told Ahram Online.

"The ministry has been instead in denial," Mina added.

Mutation?

Doctors say the cases might not be H1N1 but another viral mutation, something that the ministry insists is not true.

"It?s the same virus. The genetic mark is the same. There?s no mutation and the response to Tamiflu (medication) is the same," Ahmed Kamel, the health ministry spokesman told Ahram Online.

To be sure of the nature of the disease, a sample has to be taken from suspected cases and sent to ministry laboratories, the WHO, and the Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU), a biomedical research laboratory of the US Navy conducting infectious disease research in North Africa and the Middle East, Ahmed Kamel added.

As per the summary issued on 72 countries by the World Health Organisation (WHO) late last month, nearly 24,500 cases were positive for influenza viruses, of which nearly 25 percent were influenza H1N1 cases.

The report also said that Egypt was one of the countries experiencing an increase in influenza viral activity.

?The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was above the epidemic threshold, and 10 paediatric deaths were attributed to influenza," the report stated. The report also said that intensive care unit admissions for influenza increased to 19.4 percent, up three percent on previous seasons.

Worldwide, annual influenza epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths.

Swine flu: The last time

In 2009, Egypt was plagued by the H1N1 virus.

The disease spread across the country, infecting thousands and killing scores. Schools and universities were closed for several weeks as anxiety spread in the densely populated country.

Pigs across the country were culled because the virus was initially discovered in pigs, but later mutated, while the WHO at the time said there was no evidence of animals transmitting the virus to humans.Fears of a possible comeback increased as another respiratory disease, known as coronavirus, was seen spreading in nearby Gulf country Saudi Arabia.

With a population of around 90 million, Egypt's crowded transportation and lack of precautionary measures could lead to a disaster and a quick spread of respiratory diseases.

"The numbers [this time] are within the normal range. We don?t want people to panic. But at the same time we don?t want to underestimate [the risk] ... there's no clustering to the infection ... that?s not an epidemicological status," Kamel said.

Trading accusations

Tension between the syndicate and the ministry over union demands has not helped in resolving the H1N1 controversy.

Doctors have undertaken on-off partial strikes against the ministry since months following the 2011 uprising the toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

The providers have recently engaged in a series of one-day partial strikes over low salaries and a lack of safety in hospitals.

Hossam Kamal, media spokesman of the Doctors' Syndicate, said any epidemic would need a special budget to supply state-run hospitals, but that the "government is insisting not to put health on its priority list."

However, the ministry has accused the Syndicate of using the possible epidemic as a pressure tool for union causes.

The ministry's spokesman, Ahmed Kamel, says the syndicate wants to spread "rumours" to support their ?categorical demand,? which is to increase a cash allowance for infection.

"They [the syndicate] have a direct benefit from a rumour like this. They have a financial demand and they know quite well what we have now is what the government could provide in the meantime," Ahmed Kamel said.

The current cash allowance is around LE20 ($3).

Minister of Health Maha El-Rabat dismisses that the ministry would not announce an epidemic so as not to spend money, confirming that the supplies needed for hospitals are available, and that they just ?have to ask.?

"There no intention or benefit from covering it up, and there?s no intent to [mislead in the numbers]," El-Rabat told Ahram Online.


http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsCon...istry-and-Doctors-syndicate-divided-on-S.aspx

 

[tetano]

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 4 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

Health Minister: no one doctor had died of swine flu

Dr. Maha denied Rabat, Minister of health, the death of a doctor as a result of swine flu, noting that the deaths of some doctors recently came from some infections and microbes, not because of the swine flu-. Rabat said in a television interview program, '10 p.m.', broadcast on channel 'dream 2 '' Wednesday: '' the Ministry of health is preparing for flu season since 4 months through meetings with the private sector and take all necessary precautions and preparations occur each year Because flu season starts from October to December. '

http://www.masrawy.com/news/egypt/politics/2014/february/6/5822223.aspx

 

[tetano]

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 4 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

Swine flu develop. Doctors: '' an epidemic wave hit Egypt

.... Samir, told lmsaraoi, he recently featured cases Pneumonia, some doctors who did not have serious medical history died these cases without response to any types of treatment, and was the first of those cases, Dr. Ahmed Abdul Latif, who died after being hit by the atypical pneumonia infection. and after the death of Dr. Ahmed Abdel Latif rolled deaths among doctors in different areas to the 4 deaths and infections, all this in one month, so called doctors ' Union of the Ministry of health set up a Committee of inquiry, to find out the reasons for the occurrence of inflammation The fast deterioration of the lung.

For his part, Dr. Amr Shura, a Board member of the doctors ' Union, he called on 22 January, preventive medicine, Ministry of health, assured him that they took 8,000 streak of suspected virus and all the results were negative, then announced on Feb. 4 for about 200 if booked in hospitals and 24 people died H1N1 influenza. added, SC, that the Ministry of health is that owns the plants, and reports any that they are watching themselves and therefore cannot confirm the integrity of the figures, The reason the Ministry's announcement on those numbers is that doctors ' Union had called for a Commission of inquiry in the first month after the emergence of signs of disease and this topic has been ignored by the Ministry, but after several signs of a disease and the growing number of victims and the injured was forced to admit, but this recognition is mixed with some misinformation like it had vaccinated against flu and medical team providing prophylactics and this did not occur. the SC, some international agreements Health and signed by Egypt in case of any emergency, such as severe pneumonia, the Ministry must declare him and his causes, if not declaring who is demanding that the Ministry should respond within 48 hours or the right organization to announce the emergency through any source available, such as the media, which has made recent health announces the existence of the disease after the pressures and threats. the position of the Ministry of health, Dr. Maha Rabat deplored Health Minister, alleged a blackout of the Ministry about the number of people living with the disease, and that the Ministry will announce in cases and deaths every Tuesday. said Dr., Underwood, head of the Central Department of preventive medicine, Ministry of health, there are only two doctors were swine flu, one has recovered and the other is still receiving treatment, died 5 other doctors but other diseases.

This is incompatible with the declared Medical Association, Dr. Mona Mina, Secretary General of Egypt's doctors ' Union, the deaths of doctors advertised are all related to respiratory diseases and that this phenomenon is worthy of study and attention that unrecognized in pneumonia or influenza, as some claim, had died so far from the physicians of this injury are young people in the prime of life, not the elderly or those with chronic diseases to deteriorate this How, despite receiving medical care. the return of Dr. Khaled Samir, Treasurer of the doctors ' Union, this fear of the spread of the disease, the lack of attention to preventive medicine in Egypt, saying: '' We do not have any preventive measures against diseases, such as pneumonia and hepatitis. 'said Samir, a viral disease that can be controlled easily but then raise awareness among citizens, how to prevent the disease, and that citizens can avoid transmission of the disease through simple means such as good ventilation, wear the' mask ' In case of suspicion plus the annual vaccination of their medical history or have low immunity after he spread awareness among doctors, no new injury two weeks ago and so far the Ministry to disseminate such awareness among citizens and student Samir, from the Health Ministry to adhere to responsibility and real health policy and awareness about the disease and how to prevent it among citizens so that we can get rid of it.





http://www.masrawy.com/news/Egypt/Politics/2014/February/7/5822992.aspx

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 4 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

Apparently the Minister of Health said in a live interview that patients should just wave their hands and make noises to scare the cats away. Unreal:


Egypt - Videos: Filthy conditions, cats wandering in hospital - Zagazig, Sharkia governorate

 

[Vibrant62]

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 4 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

Hmmm - do you remember back in the early days of H5N1 in indoensia they talked about cats dying in great numbers, and some were found to be infected? They called it some silly name because it was the noise cats made shortly before they fell out of trees when they died. Link?

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 4 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

Hmmm - do you remember back in the early days of H5N1 in indoensia they talked about cats dying in great numbers, and some were found to be infected? They called it some silly name because it was the noise cats made shortly before they fell out of trees when they died. Link?

U.S. warns citizens in Indonesia on threat from cats - February 2007

 

[tetano]

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 4 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

The Association of Physicians: 9 injured doctors H1N1 flu infected expected to increase

He said Dr. Khaled Samir Amin safety Doctors' Union, the number of doctors suspected of being infected with HIV A flu, H1n1 rose to 9 cases, 4 of whom died, doctors in addition to a doctor in a critical condition has been developed on the a respirator in the Qasr al-Aini hospital, expectations of recovery very weak. He added that the analysis of blood for each doctors confirmed nine flu virus a/H1n1, explaining that the emergence of Some analyzes to negative doctors comes as a result of eating anti-flu drugs. What leads to a shift to the bacterial disease of viral كمضاعفات viral disease.

He pointed out. Khaled Samir that each doctor has infected 50 patients, he said: 'We have addressed to the Ministry of Health The announcement of the presence of the virus until taking adequate measures but have not received any response.

He clarified that the The Ministry of Health has accused in statements of the deceased doctors negligence failure to take action Preventive.



http://almesryoon.com/صحة-وتغذية/38...اء-بأنفلونزا-الخنازير-وتوقعات-بزيادة-المصابين

 

[Vibrant62]

Re: Egypt - 5 or 6 doctors hospitalized including 4 dead from unknown/pneumonia/respiratory illnesses in last 3 weeks - Dakahlia and Qalyubia govenorates - January 18, 2014 - unconfirmed rpt:WHO adviser now on site in Mansoura, Dakahalia (January 19)

If solely H1N1 it could appear that there is possibly an increase in severity, so a published genetic and sequence analysis would be useful to confirm there has been no major alterations in its genetic make up.

It is clear from the above report that the hospitalised Doctors have been self medicating with antiviral drugs, but that these have not been successful in clearing the infections. It is unclear if they had been vaccinated, and if not this year, whether or not they have been vaccinated or infected in previous years. There should be a small degree of residual immunity?