All eyes on Aswan as gov't set to uncover causes of gastroenteritis surge in 48 hours

CAIRO – 21 September 2024: Egyptians are watching for updates as the government plans to issue a final report regarding a sudden surge in gastroenteritis cases reported in hospitals in Upper Egypt’s Aswan within 48 hours.

Over the past few days, social media has been flooded with distress calls from Aswan, with individuals suffering from acute diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Dozens of cases have required hospitalization.

The Ministry of Health has dispatched medical teams to investigate the outbreak, and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has assured citizens that the situation is being closely monitored.

Concerns have arisen about a "vague illness" in the Upper Egyptian city, with some even speculating that cholera may have emerged in Egypt, starting from Aswan.

Investigating the causes

During his weekly press conference on Thursday, the prime minister referred to the cases as "stomach flu (gastroenteritis) cases." Out of around 200 cases admitted to hospitals, all but 43 have been discharged, Madbouly said.

While public suspicion primarily pointed towards the water supply, the prime minister and Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar have confirmed that water samples have been tested and deemed safe for consumption.

However, Madbouly noted that water networks are undergoing further scrutiny for added assurance, with medical teams visiting families of the affected individuals to inspect their water tanks.

On Saturday, the health minister stated that the surge in gastroenteritis symptoms began on 11 September only in two areas of Aswan, notably Abu Al-Reesh and Daraw, peaking on 19 September with 25 new cases.

Since 11 September, 128 cases have been admitted to hospitals, with 22 patients discharged after their conditions improved, according to Abdel Ghaffar.

Three-axis plan

Abdel Ghaffar revealed that since the surge, the ministry's preventive medicine department has been operating on three fronts to monitor the health situation in Aswan.

The first axis focuses on ensuring the safety of drinking water, involving the testing of water samples from over 103 drinking water stations. All samples have shown no signs of microbial or chemical contamination, he said.

The second axis involves hospital visits to examine cases and ensure appropriate treatment.

The third axis targets street vendors and food service areas, as digestive system diseases are often linked to food or water quality.

Ministry personnel have engaged with families of affected individuals, providing awareness and addressing congregations at mosques after Friday prayers to update them on the health situation.

Cases decline

In a reassuring note, Abdel Ghaffar mentioned that the number of reported cases with these symptoms decreased to 23 on Saturday, thanks to collaborative efforts by the ministry, the water company, and other relevant authorities.

The Ministry of Health's spokesperson, Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, reiterated the prime minister's directives to identify the root cause of the illness and provide comprehensive support to those affected.

Preliminary examinations have shown no bacterial or microbiological anomalies in the water supply, the spokesman emphasized.

The spokesperson offered tips for citizens to prevent digestive system diseases, such as thorough handwashing, especially after using the toilet and before eating.

He advised against consuming food from street vendors unless cooked properly, and emphasized the importance of obtaining fruits and vegetables from safe sources and washing them thoroughly.