Swine flu pamphlets distributed on UAE flights

Dubai, July 6, 2009 (WAM) - In Dubai the Ministry of Health (MoH) in coordination with the Dubai Heath Authorities will distribute pamphlets to air passengers on the symptoms and prevention of swine flu. Passengers will find these pamphlets that are written in English and Arabic placed in their seat pockets on UAE flights according to a report in "Gulf News".
A similar campaign is also launched by the emirate of Sharjah, where pamphlets are being distributed to by the tourism and health authorities to hotel guests.
A total of 14 people in UAE have contracted swine flu. All of them had contracted the disease while they travelled overseas according to the MoH. No deaths have been reported so far.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) air travel has been rated as the quickest means for the spread swine flu virus, H1N1 globally.
The MoH pamphlets, for air travellers advices passengers to take the following steps if they come across symptoms of swine flu - notify an air hostess, cover their face with a tissue while sneezing or coughing, throw tissues away after use, wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, refrain from touching, hugging, shaking hands or kissing, try to stay almost two meters away from other people and get a doctor.
The MoH had earlier said that there is enough anti-flu medication available in the country to treat swine flu patients and more of these drugs will arrive in September.
Statistics provided by the UN health officials so far 74 countries have been affected by swine flu.