Health Minister: Swine flu epidemic spread over parts of Yemen due to ongoing war

SANAA, Jan. 31 (YPA) – The Yemeni Minister of Health and Population, Taha al-Mutawakil, has revealed that the swine flu epidemic has spread in the provinces of Amran and Sana’a, with 84 deaths and more than 400 cases recorded since the beginning of last year.

The Minister said in a statement to Saba News Agency that swine flu influenza is an epidemic disease that spreads throughout the world and settled in Yemen in the beginning of 2007, followed by a new wave in 2009, only to return dramatically in the beginning of 2018, resulting in the deaths of 84 cases and more than 400 infected up until mid-January 2019.

The Ministry statement indicated that international organizations have not responded to the pleas of the Ministry of Health and Population to combat the spread of the epidemic. Only after repeated pressure was exerted against them, they proved willing to provide efficient support.

Minister Al-Mutawakil reassured everyone that many of the afflicted are being healed with the use of appropriate treatment nowadays.

He also stressed the importance of prevention of the epidemic, through the use of tissues and hand washing, not shaking hands with the afflicted, the use of partial isolation of patients as well as health education and health awareness are the best ways to confront the epidemic and reduce its spread.

Tahia Al-Mutawakil demanded that everyone shoulder their responsibility through the full awareness that Yemen is facing a global war that is targeting the safety and life of all Yemeni people. According to the Minister, the Saudi-led invaders’ goal is manifested by its wanton aggression in the spread of epidemics, most notably cholera as well as swine flu and black flu.

E.M