American Muslims are leaving no stone unturned in increasing their community’s awareness about the swine flu virus that has been registered in several America states and is spreading globally. “I think when we are facing challenges such as the health challenge of a pandemic, swine flu, that can become a very serious problem, we need to first brace ourselves and recognise [the problem],” Dr. Esam S. Omeish, said. Omeish, also the imam of Dar Al-Hijra Islamic Center, devoted his Friday sermon mainly to talk about pandemics. “We have to make sure that all preventions are in place to contain the disease if there is any outbreak,” he said. “We need to make sure the treatment of those who are affected. So far Alhamdullah we have been able to contain the magnitude of the problem.” The United States is the second country to have a confirmed swine flu death.
American health officials on Friday, May 1, said the number of confirmed swine flu cases had risen to 143, spread across 20 states.
President Barack Obama has declared a national emergency, which means putting the facilities and resources together to ensure a rapid and swift response to any outbreak. The administration will spend $251 million to buy 13 million more courses of flu medicine.