Israeli health officials confirm that four people have died of swine flu to date this winter season, adding the fears are not over as there are still patients with the illness hospitalized in Israel. Adding to the concerns of Israeli health officials is the news of over two dozen swine flu-related deaths in PA (Palestinian Authority) autonomous areas. PA health officials on Sunday morning 23 Shevat 5773 reported 27 swine flu fatalities this year. PA hospitals seem to be suffering from more overcrowding that in Israel, reporting 700 patients have been diagnosed with the illness, 40 listed in serious condition.

The IDF’s Coordinator of Activities in the Territories has arranged for six of the seriously ill swine flu patients to be transferred from PA to Israeli hospitals. In addition, Israel has handed over 35,000 doses of the vaccine to the PA, working to contain the illness which could easily spread from the PA to Israeli areas.

The IDF is particularly concerned that soldiers may contract the illness in their contact with PA residents and military health officials are urging soldiers to get vaccinated.

In Israel, there are 11 diagnosed cases in which the victims are listed in serious condition, intubated in a medically-induced coma.

This includes an 18-month-old Toddler in Meir Hospital. Officials at Meir report two males and two females are also in an intensive care unit in the hospital. There is a 60-year-old male in Beilinson Hospital (Petach Tikvah) and a 60 and 40-year-old males in Rambam Medical Center (Haifa).

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)