Egypt’s Minister of Health briefed on situation of the spread of gastroenteritis cases in Aswan

CAIRO – 21 September 2024  Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar received a detailed report on the measures taken by the Ministry in Aswan Governorate in response to the increase in gastroenteritis cases in local hospitals.

Hundreds of cases suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis have been reported in Upper Egypt’s Aswan over the past few days, pushing the authorities to be on alert in the city and send more medical teams to investigate cause of the spread of these symptoms.

Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry's official spokesman, explained in a statement on Saturday that the report noted a visit from a central team from the Preventive Medicine Sector, directed by Dr. Amr Qandil, Deputy Minister. The team examined patients and assessed the medical services provided at the Aswan University Hospital, Al-Masalla Hospital, Al-Sadaka Hospital, and Daraw Central Hospital.

The report also mentioned visits to several homes in villages within the Daraw Administration, where residents were interviewed to spoke about the current health situation and were provided with necessary health awareness. Additionally, community discussions were held after Friday prayers in one of the mosques to explain the health situation and reassure residents.

Dr. Abdel Ghaffar highlighted that a virtual workshop was conducted for doctors and department heads in hospitals to train them on the protocol for diagnosing, treating, and referring cases of gastroenteritis. A future meeting is planned to enhance awareness among doctors in primary care units regarding the management of intestinal gastroenteritis cases.

A meeting was also held with Major General Ismail Kamal, Governor of Aswan, attended by Dr. Amr Qandil and hospital directors, to review the ministry's efforts and assess the health status of infected individuals.

Hossam Abdel Ghaffar noted that the minister has emphasized the need to intensify public awareness campaigns on preventing gastroenteritis and maintaining personal and public hygiene. He also instructed hospital directors to ensure the availability of necessary supplies and medications.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of Health said that Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar directed to send a medical team from the preventive medicine sector to Aswan to investigate the cause of this unknown disease.

Water samples taken from the Nile River near the affected villages tested negative for any microbiological or chemical changes.

However, the medical team and other concerned bodies in the governorate are still following up the situation and the final results to be announced after finishing their investigations.