Bahrain : Three swine flu cases recorded

Article via Gulf Daily News :

" 3 new swine flu cases have been recorded in Bahrain, it has emerged.

The patients were kept under observation in health centres and are now recovering at home.

However, an Ethiopian woman, who became the first person to test positive this year, remains in a critical condition at Salmaniya Medical Complex.

The 41-year-old walked into the Accident and Emergency department on February 3 with high fever, urinary tract infection and other complications.

Samples tested at the public health laboratory later showed she was infected with swine flu and is being kept in isolation.

"The Ethiopian patient continues to be in critical condition and is in the Intensive Care Unit," said Public Health directorate director Dr Mariam Al Mulla, who confirmed the three new H1N1 cases."

Oman : Smuggled livestock blamed for deadly infection

Via Gulf News :

" Man who died believed to have contracted haemorrhagic fever from handling the ‘illegal cargo'

Smuggled livestock could have been the source of the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) that killed a Bangladeshi expatriate last week in Buraimi, according to sources.

Sources at the Buraimi Hospital said an illegal Pakistani, who handled livestock, could also have died from CCHF two week ago.

The unclaimed body of the Pakistani was still lying in the Buraimi hospital morgue but no investigation was carried out to determine the cause of death although his symptoms were similar to those of CCHF."

Bahrain : Hiding the truth?

Via Gulf Daily News :

" SALMANIYA Medical Complex (SMC) officials were yesterday accused of hiding the fact that Bahrain's latest sickle cell victim also suffered from H1N1.

Sickle cell campaigners made the accusation after it emerged from a blood test done on the day Manal Ahmed Hassan, 31, had died that she suffered from Swine Flu A.

"After her death, we were told by some SMC staff that Manal had been diagnosed with H1N1 just before she died," said Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient Care chairman Zakareya Ebrahim Al Kadhem.

"We decided to investigate further and we now have a report which confirms that this was the case.

"If she had been diagnosed with H1N1, the family should have been informed by the doctors immediately and she should have been moved into isolation.

"The family are shocked now that they know Manal had H1N1.

"They had believed so far she died of sickle cell complications."

Ms Hassan, from Karannah, was brought to the SMC on October 16 and was in the Accident and Emergency Department's Resuscitation Room (RR) for two days.

Her family was allegedly told that there was no room in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)."

Bahrain : Bahraini victim of swine flu

Via Gulf Daily News :

" MANAMA: Bahrain has recorded its latest swine flu death, the GDN learnt yesterday.

A Bahraini, in his 40s, who contracted the virus last month, died at Salmaniya Medical Complex on Tuesday.

A Health Ministry spokesman confirmed the death, which is the eighth reported swine flu fatality in Bahrain, reports SANDEEP SINGH GREWAL."

Bahrain geared to contain flu virus

An article from Gulf Daily News :

" BAHRAIN is fully prepared to handle any situation related to a possible surge in H1N1 swine flu cases, a top official said yesterday.

The ministry has vigilant staff and the Public Health Laboratory is fully prepared to handle any situation, said Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer.

"There are also plenty of anti-flu drugs and other medication available," he said following a meeting with senior officials held yesterday at the ministry in Juffair.

"Isolation and intensive care facilities at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) are ready to receive patients and emergency services are on standby."

The meeting was called by Dr Al Hamer following directives from His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa after two cases of HIN1 were reported on Monday.

The two men, an Indian and a Pakistani, are reported to be in critical condition at the SMC."