JEDDAH: An official source at the Health Affairs Directorate in Jeddah has attributed the spread of seasonal viruses to the decline in daily cleaning and maintenance of emergency departments by specialized cleaning companies at government hospitals.

According to the source, who preferred to remain unnamed, four cleaning companies are contracted to government hospitals, and blame their inability to sanitize hospitals on a daily basis on minimal manpower and commitments to several hospitals at once.

“These companies should clean hospital sites daily, but only do so two times per week,” said the source.

He said the Health Affairs Directorate places responsibility for sanitizing hospital departments on the director of emergency at the hospital, and who should provide monthly reports about the level of cleanliness. Rather than carrying out their work, he said cleaning companies get rid of their responsibilities in Jeddah by distributing a number of bottles of Dettol to hospitals each month, which is not sufficient in killing viruses and preventing their spread among patients and staff.

The issue of hospital cleanliness has become especially important in light of the spread of respiratory viruses and the emergence of some cases of swine flu. According to infectious diseases consultant Dr. Majdi Al-Toukhi, “Season influenza, although having a low mortality rate of 1 to 4 percent, causes difficulty or shortness of breath, pain and pressure in the chest, acute vomiting, fever and other symptoms, depending on patient.”

“Patients usually get this flu between fall and winter, and you can distinguish between seasonal influenza and the normal influenza by the type of cough, level of pain, which is usually more pronounced with seasonal influenza, and extent of sneezing,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Director of Health Affairs in Jeddah Dr. Asrir Mubarak confirmed that the seasonal flu vaccination is available at all Ministry of Health clinics and health facilities, where a large number of cadres are trained and qualified to give these vaccinations.

Dr. Sami Eid, director of infectious disease control, also confirmed that vaccinations are safe and effective in preventing seasonal influenza, as infection is reduced by up to 90 percent.