By Shahad Kamal
KUWAIT, Nov 12 (KUNA) -- Health Ministry said that the rate of seasonal influenza infections among people in Kuwait is at the normal average.
In a statement to KUNA Thursday, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Dr. Majda Al-Qattan said that the rate of seasonal influenza in the society ranges from 10 to 20 per 100,000 people.
The infections this year are estimated at 13 cases in each 100,000 people, she said.
She noted that the rate in the United States ranges from 35 to 50 cases per 100,000 people and recorded 42 cases this year.
The rate among the Kuwaiti students reached 12.8 per 100,000, she said, stressing that the cases reported at schools are in the normal average.
The number of cases reported at school could not be considered epidemic spiral, she pointed out, affirming that all detected cases are treated and followed up by the concerned bodies.
Al-Qattan advised parents of students infected with influenza viruses to visit doctors and follow their instructions.
She reiterated that the ministry's commitment to transparency with all segments in the Kuwaiti society.
Seasonal influenza is characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat and runny nose.
There are three types of seasonal influenza viruses: A, B and C. Type A influenza viruses are further classified into subtypes according to the combinations of various virus surface proteins.
Among many subtypes of influenza A viruses, influenza A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) subtypes are currently circulating among humans, according to the website of World Health Organization. (end) shd.amh.hm