Sanaa sends H1N1 samples for examination abroad to verify hostilities

Minister of Public Health and Population in the Salvation Government Dr. Taha al-Mutawakkil on Tuesday said that he does not rule out the existence of a hostile action behind the widespread spread of the seasonal flu epidemic in Yemen.

“The Ministry of Health has sent samples of a pandemic influenza virus for examination abroad to ensure that some cases do not respond to treatment,” Dr. al-Mutwakil said during in a meeting that gathered a number of ministers and officials today in Sanaa.

The Health Minister explained that the genetic change of the spreading influenza virus raises suspicions within the war that Yemen is being subjected to by Saudi-led coalition countries.

Clinical capacities were provided in all hospitals to cope with the spread of seasonal flu, he added.

For his part, Minister of Information Dhaifuallah al-Shami indicated that the high prevalence of epidemics every year in light of the ongoing aggression requires a local and international investigation, with the aim of holding those responsible for epidemics accountable in future.

In the meeting, Undersecretary of the Health Ministry Mohammed al-Mansour presented a report on the number of cases of H1N1 flu, indicating that the number of deaths reached 94 cases.

YPA