Swine flu continues its surge in Yemen, with almost 200 confirmed cases and six fatalities reported so far. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced the delay of the new academic year for a week.

Minister Saleh BaSurrah said the postponement comes after deliberation with the Ministry of Public Health and Population and was aimed at identifying practical measures to prevent the pandemic at the Yemeni universities.

BaSurrah also said that the ministry will put forward a plan to combat the flu at the universities.

The plan includes organizing lectures to alert the students about the H1N1 pandemic, posting publications revealing its symptoms, instructions and ways to prevent and fight it, he said.

The plan also calls for forming a committee at every university and identifying health monitors at colleges as well as activating the role of medical centers inside the universities compounds and the faculties of medicine and sciences, he added.

Earlier, the Education Ministry announced the postponement of the new school year for one week in order to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of H1N1 virus among the students.

Deputy Minister of Education Abdullah Al-Hamedi said the postponement was aimed at taking the precautionary measures for the 6 million students who will head to their schools.

The deputy Minister also called the students’ parents not to be afraid from these precautionary measures for they are only for ensuring the safety of students.