EGYPT: Headlines, panic and clashes over swine flu

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Pig farmers in a Cairo slum clashed with riot police today amid growing alarm here over the possible arrival of the H1N1 virus in an Egypt that is already edgy over its failure to stop the deadly avian flu.

Newspaper headlines -- to say nothing of pig farmers hurling stones at security forces -- are enough to make one run for cover. No matter the publications’ political leanings, newspapers are breathlessly unified in stoking national panic. “Flu Steps Up Its Offensive and Cairo Enlarges the Circle of Suspicion” read the main headline of today’s issue of the independent al-Masry al-Youm daily.

Quoting a report by a European Union-affiliated health organization, the state-owned Al Ahram fronted this headline: “If the Swine Flu Becomes Epidemic, Half of the World Population Will Contract It.”

“Half the World Population Is Under the Threat of Swine Flu,” read the front page of al-Wafd opposition newspaper.

So far, the virus has infected about 800 people worldwide, mostly in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. The virus, which can be transmitted among humans, also has appeared in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Many scientists believe the worldwide fear of the new viral strain is overblown as the virus can be treated with medicines.

Such assurances did not dissuade the Egyptian government from taking extreme measures. Last week, Egypt began slaughtering all of its 350,000 pigs, a decision that enraged many farmers and meat dealers. Today, hundreds of pig farmers -- most of them Coptic Christians -- clashed with riot police in Cairo. More than 12 people were reportedly injured when farmers in a slum neighborhood threw stones at police who were protecting government workers culling the animals.

For many Egyptians, however, this mass slaughter is a necessary precaution in a country where bird flu has killed 26 people since 2006. The government announced that it would begin examining airline passengers arriving from countries where the virus has taken hold.

Egyptians are circulating cellphone messages warning against the virus. Many believe that if the disease reaches Egypt, it will spread on a large scale given the poor hygienic environment for millions of Egypt’s residents in. Although the World Health Organization has not declared the virus a pandemic yet, one message circulated among Egyptians read:

“My dear family and friends, the swine flu is officially a pandemic and the WHO announced alert 5 in Egypt. To keep safe, make sure you take the following precautions: Stay away from confined public places (crowded smoky clubs, etc), stay away from social kissing, use handshakes, stock up on any critical medication you or your loved ones consume regularly, stay away from Shisha, limit eating out to the minimum and seek medical advice immediately if you see any of the alarming signs. ... Forward to those you care about.”

-- Noha El-Hennawy in Cairo

Egyptian pig farmers clash with riot police in Cairo over the weekend. Credit: Associated Press