Maghreb countries prepare for swine flu pandemic

2009-05-01

Since swine flu first appeared in Mexico, the swift-moving and potentially fatal virus has spread to multiple countries and prompted the World Health Organization to warn of a global pandemic. Maghreb states have been quick to take precautionary measures.

By Achira Mammeri in Algiers, Naoufel Cherkaoui in Rabat and Jamel Arfaoui in Tunis - 1/05/09

[Naoufel Cherkaoui] Moroccan health officials check incoming airline passengers to prevent the spread of swine flu.

The world is anxiously watching swine flu spread from Mexico, where the first cases appeared, to countries as geographically distant as Australia and Scotland. Maghreb states are implementing aggressive measures to limit the spread of the H1N1 (swine influenza) virus, although there are no reported cases in the region.

Algeria's health ministry was quick to take action, establishing on Sunday a special crisis cell comprised of experts from the health, interior, transport and national defence ministries to monitor the pandemic threat. Even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) alert was then at Level 5, indicating that the disease was limited to one country, Algeria promptly launched a comprehensive plan to ensure public safety.

The emergency committee told security officers at ports, border crossing points and airports to remain vigilant and conduct "health checks".

"Passengers from countries where confirmed cases of swine flu have been reported will receive special treatment," said Achour Amrane, a doctor specialising in infectious diseases and an expert with the Algerian health ministry.

While the intention is not "to sow panic among passengers," Amrane said, "We are faced with an exceptional situation which requires exceptional measures."

In addition, Algeria bought millions of respiratory masks for doctors and border agents, health Ministry Spokesman Salim Belkassem said. "Protective masks will also be distributed to citizens if there is any case of H1N1 virus in Algeria," he added.

"There’s no reason for us to panic, as we haven’t received any suspected cases at this time," explained Bab El Oued university hospital nurse Kamel. Hospitals are "well equipped", he adds. "The treatment is in stock at the central pharmacy and available for use."

Officials also reassured citizens that Algeria has vaccines on hand to protect the population from the flu strain. SAIDAL, the country's largest pharmaceuticals group, reportedly has enough flu antiviral medication to respond to a widespread H1N1 outbreak.

In Morocco, the focus has also been on clinical and biological checks at all entry points, including fever detectors at international airports. Other preventive steps are assuring "sufficient quantities of the vaccines, having on-call ambulances at the disposal of civil prevention agencies, and training medical and semi-medical staff," Health Minister Yasmina Baddou said last Monday.

"With the appearance of the first signs of the swine flu on the global level, the ministry took all measures to prevent the virus from reaching Morocco," she explained.

Mohamed Hisar, head of the Pasteur Institute in Casablanca, confirmed "a sufficient stock of medications in the event of any possible cases" in the Kingdom.

Even with the government reassurances, not everyone is convinced.

"Despite all the measures taken by the Moroccan authorities," said Nadia, an employee in a money transfer company in Khouribga, "I am still not comfortable."

On Wednesday, the WHO raised the threat level to 6, meaning that a pandemic was imminent.

The same day in Tunisia, the ministry of health issued a statement advising citizens to avoid travel to Mexico, the epicentre of the virus and the home of "patient zero".

"The strategy of preventing emerging diseases allows relevant authorities to take all necessary measures, especially intensifying checks at crossing point to and from Tunisia," the ministry statement added, pointing out that there is no need to panic because the disease is responsive to anti-viral medications.

For Hashimi Ben Milad, a butcher in the capital, the swine flu pandemic feels far away: "I think we are outside the mayhem."

"I don’t think the crisis will hit us, as was the case with Mad Cow Disease and Bird Flu," he told Magharebia.

Libya joined other Maghreb nations in adopting preventive measures. Agriculture Minister Abu Bakr Al-Mansouri said Libya would "release a special brochure on the precautionary measures that must be taken to prevent the infiltration and spread of the disease across the country".

"The National Center for Infectious and Chronic Disease Control has been charged with forming teams in the main airports, especially in Tripoli and Benghazi, to monitor visiting guests," he added.

Mauritanian officials say health monitoring has been activated at their airports as well.

The African Union, meanwhile, is working to establish a continent-wide mechanism to respond to a pandemic, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Jean Ping said Wednesday in Addis Ababa.

"We hope to establish a continental plan for prevention, and, if necessary, a mechanism to fight this outbreak that has not yet affected Africa," AFP quoted Ping as saying.