In press statements issued today, Minister of Health Dr. Saad Jaber said that the flu that several Jordanians are suffering from these days is seasonal, pointing out that treatments are available in all hospitals of the Kingdom.

Jaber said that the Ministry conducted a survey among citizens and found that the H1N1 flu, known as Swine Flu, has become endemic in Jordan, but it does not pose a danger and its treatment is available.

Swine Flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in a barking cough, decreased appetite, nasal secretions, and listless behavior; the virus can be transmitted to humans.

Swine flu viruses cause low death rates in pigs. Until 2009, six swine influenza viruses that affect pigs have been identified, namely influenza C, H1N1, H1N2 A, H3N1 A, H3N2 A and H2N3 A. These viruses remain in pigs throughout the year, but usually spread in late autumn and winter as in humans.