As the number of swine flu (A/H1N1) cases creeps toward 100 in Saudi Arabia, the World Health Organization finds that the government’s program of detection, monitoring, and reporting is a good one. As Arab News reports, there’s still a lot of hope being put on the development of a specific vaccine against the flu before the Haj season, however.

WHO commends measures against swine flu

JEDDAH: The World Health Organization commended Saudi Arabia’s elaborate preparations to prevent the spread of various infectious diseases, particularly swine flu, during the current Umrah season and upcoming Haj season.

A statement issued by WHO’s regional office in the Middle East yesterday, described the Saudi preparations comprehensive, methodical and transparent. The statement also lauded the willingness of the Saudi Ministry of Health to pass accurate information to international organizations.

The WHO’s report follows a visit by a team of its experts to Saudi Arabia to view the preventive measures against the H1N1 virus infection and other contagious diseases being implemented by the Saudi health authorities for the Haj and Umrah seasons.
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