Seven patients who were diagnosed with swine flu after entering the UAE from abroad have been discharged from hospital having made a full recovery, the state news agency, WAM, reported yesterday. The announcement, from the Ministry of Health, means that all 27 people reported to have the virus in the UAE have recovered fully. Caused by a new virus called H1N1, swine flu is potentially lethal for the young and elderly, as well as those with weakened immune systems. The World Health Organisation's most recent report, dated July 6, lists 429 deaths out of more than 94,000 confirmed cases worldwide.
The Emirates' first swine flu patient was an academic from UAE University in Al Ain who had been on a visit to Canada. The man was treated at Al Ain's Tawam Hospital and discharged in May. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of other seasonal flu viruses. They include high fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported vomiting and diarrhoea.
vtodorova@thenational.ae
