Please note that the forthcoming MAMT will be going ahead on the report detailed below in the email trail from the COEJ Medical Board Doctor. We would all Jamaats and Sports Co-ordinators to make a joint decision of Gents and Ladies participation after reading the report.

Due to Swine Flu dilemma, all Gents entries now have to be in by Sunday 26
July 2009.

To all Participating Jamaats and Sports Co-ordinators:

As you are aware, the World Health Organisation has now raised its flu pandemic alert level to Level 6, indicating that there is efficient and sustained human-to-human transmission of the H1N1 virus.

Although the infection levels within the United Kingdom are currently low, we are aware of the potential for large public gatherings to facilitate the transmission of the virus. However, we are also acutely aware of the importance of the annual MAMT Tournament to participants.

Given the current risk to public health caused by the H1N1 virus, we would urge all attendees to be mindful of this and to comply fully with all existing Government recommendations concerning the actions to be taken to limit viral transmission between individuals.

To remind you, these are:

Always carry tissues.

Use clean tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Bin the tissue after use. Wash your hands with soap and hot water or a sanitizer gel often. We would be grateful if you could ensure that you bring sufficient tissues and other suggested items with you. The current plan is for the Tournament to take place as intended but we would ask that you ensure that your participants do not attend if they are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, no matter how disappointing this may be for them or you.

Secondly, please ensure that the contact details for all participants are accurate and up-to-date. COEJ MAMT Team will try to supply sanitizing gel and tissues on the day. Please follow the trail below for the Doctor's advice.

Z Mamdani - MAMT Sports Coordinator Advise from HIB:

Thank you for your email re: advice regarding the swine flu fever and MAMT. I shall try and summarise the current advice concisely to enable you to come to a decision. Please feel free to correct me or ask for clarifications if you wish at anytime. As you may already know, the H1N1 infection has reached pandemic proportions within the UK and the department of health has moved from containment to treatment phase. The current guideline now suggest that the infection is so widespread that no one is being tested for it but being treated if found to have a fever over 38C and 2 or more flu like symptoms particularly those in vulnerable groups. These groups are highlighted in the last update on the coej hib page.

The current guidelines suggest that :

1- Given the number of swine flu cases, communities, nurseries and other facilities for children and young people will no longer be closed in order to try and contain the virus where there are confirmed cases of swine flu. A decision to close them may still though be taken on other grounds, for example if there are too few staff to run them.

2- Do not change any plans you already have, although you may wish to check in advance with the organisers in case events or activities are cancelled because of shortages of staff or participants due to illness.

3- Young children and pregnant women are more vulnerable at present but the advice to them remains the same as above. It is specifically pregnant women who may want to consider avoiding large congregations.

It is really the responsibility of each participating Jamaat to ensure that each of their team members is well and has no overt flu like symptoms during the MAMT. If anyone is found to do so with or without a temperature, then they should remain at home or be isolated hence sent back home immediately.

Please ensure that there is adequate ventilation and also hand washing is frequent amongst all those attending the MAMT. It is also imperative to follow and enforce the catch it, bin it , kill it advice especially in the case of children. There have been some unreported cases in our community so far so please be careful.

Finally, in the question of accomodation, a hotel of other means of accommodation where there are less number of people in a given space maybe more appropriate this year. This however, then puts an increased cost to the participants. I guess it would be an individual decision for each participant/jamaat to consider.

I hope this answers your queries. Please feel free to contact me should you have any other questions.

Salaams,

Dr. Rizwan Alidina