Swine flu death toll reaches 9

AMMAN — Assistant Secretary General for Primary Healthcare at the Ministry of Health,  Adnan Ishaq, stated that the number of deaths due to swine flu (H1N1) has reached nine, adding that 341 others are infected.

Ishaq told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that the patients who died suffered from pre-existing chronic and high-risk diseases, and did not have immunity before infection.

He noted that the physical response to the flu vaccine, the price of which has been reduced by 50 per cent, varies from person to person. He added that while the vaccine is still effective if taken now, it is more effective if taken in September and October of each year before the flu season.

Ishaq called on citizens to be cautious at social gatherings, by briefly shaking hands and washing them with water and soap more than once a day.

He also encouraged people to wash fruit and vegetables, drink chamomile, anise and tea, and increase intake of citrus fruits, as they contain vitamin C, which boosts the body’s immunity and resistance to the virus.