Ministry reports eight more swine flu related deaths

At least eight people have died between Tuesday and Friday from the seasonal influenza A (H1N1), commonly known as swine flu, according to a Health Ministry statement.

In the same four days, 182 cases were confirmed as being infected with the seasonal flu, reported the ministry, while there were 873 suspected cases in hospitals nationwide.

Last week, the ministry had said that the H1N1 virus has so far claimed the lives of 38 people across the country since last December.

Around 79 percent of seasonal flu cases were found to have the H1N1 strain in Egypt since December 1.

The statement reiterated warnings for people particularly at risk, including pregnant women, those over 65, children under two, and patients of respiratory diseases, advising them to seek medical help should they detect any flu-like symptoms lasting over 48 hours.

The Doctors Syndicate led a strike two weeks ago following the deaths of four physicians, allegedly from the swine flu virus. However, the World Health Organization and the Health Ministry denied the claims, stating that all doctors were vaccinated against the virus.