Israel's Health Ministry on Friday hosted Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian Authority representatives in Jerusalem to discuss the swine flu outbreak in the region. The meeting lasted some four and half hours, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, and took place at the World Health Organization's office in Jerusalem. Also on Friday, the PA’s Ministry of Agriculture announced they were ready to coordinate with any institution, including Israeli organizations, mandated to counter the current threat of influenza H1N1 or swine flu.
Head of Veterinary Services at the PA’s Ministry of Agriculture in Sa'id Syam said Friday that specialists are monitoring the two pig farms in PA areas, one in Beit Sahour and the other one in Beit Jala. He said both farms were currently under quarantine and samples of all animals have been taken to laboratories for testing. With regard to the wild pigs in the northern regions of PA areas in Yehuda and Shomron, Syam said the ministry would cooperate with Israeli authorities to ensure the animals were slaughtered to prevent the spread of the flu.