On Monday 14th September there was one confirmed case of H1N1 in the British School Muscat and two suspected cases.  The confirmed case, a primary school child wasimmediately removed from the school along with it’s siblings.  To date there have been no other confirmed or suspected cases and the school is continuing to operate normally.

The WHO reports that as of 13th September there have been 17 deaths in Oman and 1432 reported cases.  No British nationals have died as a result of H1N1 in Oman. Anyone can receive medical care and antiviral drugs free of charge in public facilities,( i.e. Ministry of Health primary care facilities and hospitals) for Influenza purposes. The Ministry of Health has also put at disposal to all residents the antiviral treatment Oseltamavir in 42 private clinics free of charge. For those willing to pay, the medication is available in private pharmacies, but no medication will be dispensed except with a physician prescription.

At this moment, WHO is not changing recommendations for the use of antivirals. Healthy patients with uncomplicated illness need not be treated with antivirals. WHO recommends immediate use of antiviral for:

• Patients with progressive severe illness whose condition begins to deteriorate.
• Patients in at risk groups who present even with mild or uncomplicated influenza. The "at risk groups" include infants and children aged less than 5years, the elderly (>65 years), nursing home residents, pregnant women, patients with chronic co-morbid conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory or liver disease, diabetes, and those with immunosuppression related to malignancy, HIV infection or other diseases.

The Embassy asks that you remain vigilant and continue to adopt the cough and sneeze etiquette as outlined in our earlier missives.