Manama: Bahrain is sparing no efforts to contain cases of swine flu and treat patients who have tested positive for the virus.
The Health Ministry is in constant contact with the company that manufactures the H1N1 vaccine to fast-track the delivery of a shipment comprising 25,000 shots.
Health officials are also attempting to get the vaccine from neighbouring countries.
In a statement yesterday, the ministry affirmed full readiness to deal with seasonal flu and ensure quick treatment.
While reassuring the public, the ministry said it expects a surge in the cases of flu of all types due to seasonal climatic changes at this period of year.
Seeking to allay public fears, the ministry said cases of swine flu, which were diagnosed, do not imply a pandemic outbreak in Bahrain. “The swine flu (H1N1), like any curable seasonal influenza, does not pose any danger to patients’ lives,” it said in a statement yesterday.
Meanwhile, ministry’s pharmacies are running out of H1N1 vaccine amid huge rush of people, which put pressure on health facilities.
Bahrain ordered additional doses of the H1N1 vaccine following the surge in demand.
The rush has occurred despite repeated reassurances by Health Ministry experts, who say there is no reason for people to get it.
H1N1, also known as swine flu, has been detected in 62 patients between September 28 and Monday, according to BDF Hospital officials. They are all aged over 50 and suffer from chronic diseases, which means they were kept under observation.
“We continue to stress there is nothing to worry because it is like a normal flu,” said Health Ministry acting health promotion directorate head Dr Amal Al Jowder.
“But because of the social media rumours, people are scared and think it’s best to get vaccinated to protect themselves.”
She said some health centres reported that vaccine stocks had run out in less than an hour.
“This is the flu season and its normal to receive more patients suffering from this condition, who require the shots,” added Dr Al Jowder.
“But in the past few days there has been an unexpected rush, with people who do not have any flu symptoms standing in queues to get the free H1N1 vaccine.
“The health centres finished the stock of vaccines and the ministry had to order additional doses.”
However, she recommended people suffering from chronic diseases, the elderly and those with low immunity should get vaccinated – not those showing mild symptoms.
Dr Al Jowder added that more people die globally because of diabetes, smoking and road accidents than they do from swine flu.
“I think the ‘swine flu’ terminology should change to simply ‘flu’ to put an end to the panic among people,” she said.
Around 1,500 swine flu cases were recorded in Bahrain last year, but most had minor to moderate conditions and quickly recovered. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue and it can be transmitted through sneezing or coughing.
The H1N1 virus caused panic around the world when it was first reported in 2009.
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