Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman wants the athletes participating in the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel tested for swine flu. The opening ceremony is set for July 13th and it includes 5,300 athletes from around the world, prompting Litzman’s concerns.
Litzman explained that all groups entering Israel from abroad should be vigilantly checked, placing an emphasis on the Maccabiah participants.

Maccabiah spokesman Yaron Michaeli dismissed what some may interpret as a unique urgency explaining the arrivals who are part of the sporting competition are no different than anyone arriving in Israel from anywhere in the world. He explained that regarding security, health care and other logistics, the Maccabiah infrastructure is on the ball. He questioned in a perplexed tone why the Maccabiah participants demand special mention, explaining they are not expecting any special privileges and they will be inspected upon entry to the country as any other visitor from around the world.

In other swine flu matters, Litzman on Sunday issued a new directive to hospitals that victims of swine flu are no longer to be hospitalized, with the exception of severe cases. Persons diagnosed with the flu will be treated in local kupat cholim (HMO) clinic.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)