Swine Flu: Pandemic Declared - 15 June 2009

It is with the grace of Allah (SWT) that despite the declaration of the H1N1 (Swine flu fever) pandemic by the World Health Organisation last week, there has been no reports of any sufferers in our community around Europe or globally. We pray to the Allah (SWT) through the intercession of Our Lady Fatima (AS) to keep us safe whilst this illness escalates globally.

There were now close to 30,000 cases world wide in upto 74 countries by last weekend. There is also thought to be more unreported cases from third world countries where there may be cases going undetected.

More importantly, the UK confirmed cases now reach 1226 with at least 229 cases in the West Midlands. 1 patient has died from the infection albeit with other co-morbid conditions but the details are sketchy at present.

Please note that human to human transmission now is occuring freely in more than 2 WHO regions of the world hence the declaration of the pandemic. The disease is fairly mild at present and there has been relatively very few deaths in relation to this illness apart from patients with other disabling conditions which make them more vulnerable. This doesn't mean we treat the threat lightly but should observe the precautions and prevention measures discussed in previous updates. The advice remains the same for all patients and anyone with flu-like symptoms should seek advice from their GP or from NHS direct.

PLEASE DON'T ATTEND THE SURGERY BUT CONTACT THEM VIA A TELEPHONE.

If anyone has flu like illness, please also refrain from attending large congregartions such as functions at the mosque as there is a large number of members who are vulnernerable to the spread of your germs due to extremes of age and other illnesses, making them easy targets. You can still view the programmes online from various major Jamaat centres. The observance of the relatively simple preventative measure means the difference of keeping this illness contained as opposed to easy spread to other brothers and sisters in faith.

Let us pray again to Allah (SWT) through the intercession of our masumeens to keep us safe and help us heed the simple precautions being adviced during this time when the illness is easily spread. HIB will keep you informed should the situation change in anyway. We also urge all those reading this to pass the information on to their friends and family to ensure a wider circulation.

Finally, HIB would be grateful to all healthcare professionals anywhere around the world to inform us (whilst anonymising the patient's details)of any reported, suscpicious or confirmed cases in their area. We don't wish to obtain any personal details of

the patient involved but would like to have an indication of the disease spread within our communities in Europe particularly.

Please email us on hib@coej.org

HIB