Cyprus Health Minister concerned over swine influenza cases in Europe

Minister of Health Christos Patsalides expressed concern on Monday regarding the confirmation of two cases of swine influenza in Europe, noting however, that Cyprus is ready to tackle any possible case on the island.

Speaking after an extraordinary meeting to assess the situation and discuss the measures taken in Europe and on a national level regarding swine influenza, Patsalides said ''the fact that cases have been confirmed in Europe is worrying,'' adding that ''this obliges everyone in Europe to increase their measures.''

He added that a special committee had been set up at the Ministry of Health to handle, monitor and coordinate action, and that he had called another meeting for Tuesday to examine the degree of readiness of the Ministry's services.

Regarding the airports in Cyprus, Patsalides assured that measures have been taken to inform the staff and the health services, concerning passengers who have visited countries in which cases of swine influenza have been determined.

He added that the hospitals have been briefed and were ready to treat any case of swine influenza and isolate it, while pharmaceutical stocks had been checked.

Patsalides pointed out that Cyprus was ''in direct cooperation and coordination'' with the EU, and that teleconferences had been organised with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and the World Health Organisation.

Furthermore, the Minister of Health will be participating in the extraordinary EU Health Ministers Council, to be held on Thursday to discuss swine influenza.

Asked about the Cypriots who will be returning to Cyprus from Mexico, Patsalides said ''we must be very careful and discreet,'' adding that from information gathered so far, no Cypriots in Mexico have come down with any worrying symptoms.