The Ministry of Health and Population has opened an investigation into an outbreak of intestinal catarrh cases reported over the past few days in the southern governorate of Aswan.
A final report on the causes behind the rising cases will be released within 48 hours, the Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar told a press conference on Saturday following an inspection tour of pharmaceutical factories in Giza.
Minister Abdel-Ghaffar said most cases, who presented with diarrhoea as a symptom, were concentrated in the areas of Abu Al-Rish and Daraw.
The cases were primarily caused by acute intestinal flu, likely due to contaminated food or drink, added Abdel-Ghaffar.
Hospitals in Aswan, he added, had received 128 cases displaying symptoms similar to those of intestinal flu, with 22 patients already discharged.
The ministry, Abdel-Ghaffar noted, is investigating several potential causes, including analyzing water samples, visiting the homes of infected families, and examining internal plumbin
g systems.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly had previously reported approximately 200 intestinal flu cases in Aswan, assuring that most patients were discharged.
Earlier today, the health ministry said it has sent medical teams to the country’s southern governorate to investigate the situation.
According to a health ministry statement on Saturday, a team from the ministry’s Preventive Medicine Sector has already visited local hospitals in Aswan, met with patients, and conducted home visits in villages.
The hospitals included the University Hospital, Al-Masalla Hospital, Al-Sadaka Hospital, and Daraw Central Hospital, where the team examined patients and monitored medical services.
Additionally, the team has visited homes in some villages within the Daraw administration, meeting with residents and providing them with health awareness and guidance.
Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, also pointed out that a virtual workshop was conducted for physicians and depart
mental heads at the governorate’s hospitals to acquaint them with the protocol for diagnosing, treating, reserving, and referring cases of intestinal flu.
He added that a meeting will be held to raise the awareness of doctors in primary care units affiliated with the Health Care Authority-responsible for health insurance medical units- on the appropriate management of intestinal flu cases.
Furthermore, Abdel-Ghaffar said the health minister has instructed hospital directors to ensure the adequate availability of necessary supplies and medications.
Governor of Aswan Major General Ismail Kamal reassured the public on Saturday that the situation was under control and that the government was handling the recent crisis transparently.
“There is no need to hide any details,” he said.
In a phone interview with MBC Misr channel, Kamal confirmed that municipal authorities had inspected water stations, including those at homes, to ensure compliance with technical specifications.
He added that all water networks wi
thin the governorate have been disinfected.
Moreover, campaigns conducted at food and beverage shops resulted in disposing of approximately a ton of spoiled food.
Source: State Information Service Egypt
