Health minister asks for proper flu reports
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 13, 2009 00:00
ANKARA - Turkey’s health minister called on the media yesterday to avoid sensationalizing news about the swine flu virus, adding that there had been no confirmed cases of the influenza strain in the country.
"This is totally a new virus that underwent a structural transformation, and people’s immune systems are not thus prepared for it," said Recep Akdağ. "However, there are no swine flu cases in Turkey, which is ready for a possible future pandemic."
Akdağ was addressing the governors of Turkey’s 81 provinces and provincial health directors at a meeting yesterday on the global spread of swine flu and the measures that will be taken to prevent its outbreak in the country.
He said viruses undergo a structural transformation every year and that it was always possible to encounter new types of viruses, noting that the swine flu virus is different from the influenza virus and the World Health Organization has not classified it as an intercontinental pandemic.
According to Akdağ, Turkey has all taken necessary precautions at airports and ports to prevent the virus’ entry into the country, and to stop the possible spread of the virus in the event that it does enter Turkey.
Akdağ said the media played a significant role in informing the public about the virus. "The media shouldn’t sensationalize news on the issue because the news can sometimes lead to misconceptions among people," he said. "The media should be sensitive to the issue in this respect."
Respect tourist privacy
He also said the media should respect tourists’ rights and privacy when they come to Turkey and are shown to have a fever by the thermal cameras now installed at airports. The minister added that people should show the utmost attention to their hygiene in order to protect themselves from swine flu. Meanwhile, two people who were bitten by ticks in the Black Sea provinces of Samsun and Amasya and underwent medical treatment for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever died yesterday.
Akdağ was addressing the governors of Turkey’s 81 provinces and provincial health directors at a meeting yesterday on the global spread of swine flu and the measures that will be taken to prevent its outbreak in the country.
He said viruses undergo a structural transformation every year and that it was always possible to encounter new types of viruses, noting that the swine flu virus is different from the influenza virus and the World Health Organization has not classified it as an intercontinental pandemic.
According to Akdağ, Turkey has all taken necessary precautions at airports and ports to prevent the virus’ entry into the country, and to stop the possible spread of the virus in the event that it does enter Turkey.
Akdağ said the media played a significant role in informing the public about the virus. "The media shouldn’t sensationalize news on the issue because the news can sometimes lead to misconceptions among people," he said. "The media should be sensitive to the issue in this respect."
Respect tourist privacy
He also said the media should respect tourists’ rights and privacy when they come to Turkey and are shown to have a fever by the thermal cameras now installed at airports. The minister added that people should show the utmost attention to their hygiene in order to protect themselves from swine flu. Meanwhile, two people who were bitten by ticks in the Black Sea provinces of Samsun and Amasya and underwent medical treatment for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever died yesterday.