The current situation with regard to seasonal influenza «should in no way worry the population», said Tuesday the Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the ministry of health following information reported by newspapers and social media about deaths due to this disease. «The WHO and the Ministry of Health are monitoring the situation very closely and recommend the usual preventive measures», they said in a joint statement. The influenza surveillance system in Morocco is fully functioning and gathers all the necessary data for prevention and response actions, the source pointed out, noting that so far no unusual recrudescence of seasonal influenza cases has been observed. «The Influenza A H1N1 strain is the predominant circulating virus this season in Morocco and worldwide», the statement said, adding that this virus has been circulating since 2010 during each influenza season. Every year, influenza epidemics can affect all age groups but most cases heal quickly without the need for medical treatment, the statement said. According to the same source, the risk of complications, or in some cases of death, mainly concerns vulnerable groups: pregnant women, children from 6 months to 5 years old, the elderly and people suffering from chronic diseases. This is the reason why WHO and the ministry of health «continue to advise people belonging to these high-risk groups as well as health professionals to get vaccinated every year», the source said. «Anyone can help limit the spread of the flu by taking simple precautions, such as washing hands regularly, avoiding going out if people have flu-like symptoms and coughing and sneezing into a tissue or the inner crook of one's elbow», the statement said. «The UN organization and the ministry of health will continue to monitor the seasonal flu situation in the country and provide additional advice if needed», the same source added.
