Global embarrassment seek to stamp out influenza A / H1N1

Some Muslim countries recommend pregnant women not to attend hajj pilgrimage. Chinese isolation regardless of visitors with symptoms suspected of catching the flu, while the priest in New Zealand is prohibited from placing holy bread in the parishioner's mouth during prayer.

These are efforts throughout the world to prevent the spread of A / H1N1 flu until a vaccine is prevented. Up to now, health experts still offer different assessments of these measures.

Students across Europe may have a longer summer vacation every year after the World Health Organization (WHO) believes that closing schools is one of the options that many countries should consider.

The number of deaths from the H1N1 virus has doubled in the past three weeks, exceeding 700 people since about 330 people in early July. " We can see more people getting sick, many die in the future. 'WHO spokesman Aphaluck Bhatiasevi said in Geneva.

WHO did not give specific statistics, but last week, the US announced that there were 263 deaths, Canada had 45 people, England was 29 cases. According to the last update of WHO on July 6, Mexico has 119 people died of influenza A / H1N1.

However, the latest figures cannot reflect the true spread and development of new flu, due to the limitations of testing and validation.

A Japanese family in Tokyo wears an anti-influenza mask
(Photo: AFP)

The battle is now focused on developing an effective vaccine to fight pandemic before the flu season begins to fall in the northern hemisphere. It is estimated that a village vaccine may appear between September and December.

Meanwhile, the UN health organization is working with health officials around the world to determine what they can do in an effort to stop the H1N1 flu.

" Closing schools is one of the measures that may be considered, " Bhatiasevi told reporters. Experts also agreed that this could be one of the most effective measures, but also warnings should be considered in terms of economic and social impacts.

The question has not been answered yet

Religious leaders have entered a controversy after authorities in Jordan and health officials at a conference in Saudi Arabia made a proposal, people who are thought to be at high risk of disease, including women. pregnant or people with chronic diseases should not attend the pilgrimage this year.

Arab Health Ministers had an emergency meeting in Cairo today to come up with a unified plan to deal with the pandemic.

In New Zealand , the church ordered the priests to put holy bread in the parish's mouth or share wine, and asked parishioners to avoid close contact during the prayer ceremony like shaking hands.

In Chile , where 40 people died of A / H1N1 flu, the government postponed a popular religious festival that often attracted tens of thousands of people to the northern town of La Tirana, prompting believers to protest. .

" The main question is whether people accept government measures? " Christian Drosten, in charge of the virus research institute at the University of Bonn in Germany, stressed. "You need the support of the people, otherwise enforcement efforts will be ineffective , "he said. " When people consider epidemic disasters to be serious, you will see them keep their social distance to limit infection '.

" But the problem is still in culture ," Drosten said. " What works in Europe may not be good in other countries ."

In Switzerland , supermarket networks are considering asking customers to wash their hands and wear masks when shopping. " We can apply this method quickly ," said Urs Peter Naef, Switzerland's largest supermarket network spokesman, Migros.

China applies isolation measures to any visitor who has a suspicious expression. Hundreds of Americans, British and foreign students have been frozen in hotels because of suspicious signs.

Chinese health officials use thermometers to check passengers on the plane. If a passenger shows signs of flu, anyone sitting in the three adjacent rows will be required to quarantine and only be free seven days later.

In the UK , health officials even warned women to postpone their plans to have children when the pandemic spread globally, prompting many people to speak out about mockery because the flu could last for several years.

The feasibility of closing schools must also be free of risks, especially economic losses when parents are forced to stay home to look after their children.

The French Ministry of Education has prepared educational programs through radio and television to allow students to leave school due to school closures and keep up with the progress, the daily Le Parisien reported.

The experience of closing schools in the US at the time of pandemic outbreaks may be the best example for the education industry in dealing with the H1N1 virus.

Initially, the school will be closed for two weeks if there is a suspected case of infection, but when the virus is more moderate than concerned, it recommends parents keep sick students at home. Schools are still closed if there are large numbers of students and teachers infected.

In addition to this measure, a group of WHO experts are considering other ways, including postponing events that focus on people like sports and concerts.

Finally, deciding how to control a pandemic still depends on the specific conditions in each country.