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More People Volunteer for Swine Flu Test

The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Friday said that two people arriving in the country were found to be infected with the virus, adding to two earlier cases. Another case was confirmed on Saturday bringing the total number of infected people to five.

Doctors, however, say that residents sought testing long before the confirmed cases came to light. They also say that a majority of those asking to be tested had either showed symptoms similar to the common flu, travelled recently or come in contact with people who had travelled. Fifteen to 20 patients with symptoms of common flu ask to be tested at the Jebel Ali Hospital daily. “At least 20-30 per cent of these cases need to be evaluated and tested for H1N1,” said Dr Suresh Menon, specialist physician at the hospital. “However, we have found no positive case until now.”

The hospital and several clinics and medical centres have already acquired the Rapid Test Kit that can deliver the test results in less than an hour.

To report a suspected case, the doctors have to follow the MoH protocol and file details through an online reporting system or call the Department of Health and Medical Services’ Preventive Health Department.

“Some parents had brought in their children after they developed flu-like symptoms,” said Dr Delia Fayyad, paediatrician at Lifeline Marina Centre. “However, it was a case of common cold.”

She added that over the past month, at least 15-20 people had asked to be tested but none was found positive.

The experts say that before the decision to carry out the rapid test is taken, a complete evaluation of the patient including the travel history and contact with people with flu-like symptoms is required, besides other physical examination.

“Most patients are just apprehensive and ask to be tested,” said Dr Arun Ashok Cherian, general practitioner at Al Rafa Medical Clinic, Dubai International City.

He said that several patients were requesting a travel advisory as well. “I recently had two patients who asked to be tested for the disease. I also advised them to look up the travel advisory for India since they were travelling,” he pointed out.

According to Dr Chahrazed Khalfaoui, general practitioner at the Al Mousa Medical Centre in Jumeirah, people now are more aware of health issues. “People ask me if the vaccine for the new flu is ready or not,” said the doctor, who carried out rapid test on three patients last week.

Meanwhile, this week, the ministry will be holding workshops to inform healthcare providers on its mechanism. On Thursday, the MoH had launched a nation-wide campaign to educate the public on the disease.

In another development, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will start implementing a joint plan to deal with the H1N1 virus. The plan includes intensifying monitoring at all the entry and exit points of GCC states, stockpiling of doses of the antiviral medication Tamiflu, and stepping up of efforts for preventive vaccination against seasonal flu. The plan will be implemented in cooperation with the health and non-health sectors in the member-states.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

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