Sri Lanka - 5 deaths confirmed from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Sri Lanka - 1st Confirmed Death from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

Misdiagnosis cause of virus death


By Sandun A. Jayasekera
The failure to correctly diagnose the A/H1N1 virus has led to Sri Lanka?s first death from the disease, a Health Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

A 16-year-old student of Trinity College in Kandy died at the Kandy Teaching Hospital last Wednesday from complications arising from the influenza virus, A/H1N1. The student?s parents are medical professionals. He had been admitted to Hospital on Monday and diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia.

?The student?s condition worsened and the child passed away from lung failure. We got to know that it was a case of A/H1N1 only after several tests were carried out at the Medical Research Institute (MRI). Even the first tests at the MRI could not pin point the cause of the death. However, the Health Ministry extremely regrets of this unnecessary death and conveys its condolences to the child?s family,? the spokesman said and added that further tests would be carried out at the MRI.

Meanwhile, several samples of Indian made rubella vaccine had been sent to a laboratory in Canberra, Australia for further tests after the second death this year reported from Wariyapola.

The spokesman said the suspended rubella vaccination programme would be resumed in schools after a thorough investigation had been carried and necessary precautions were in place to prevent a repetition of incidents similar to those that took place in Matara and Wariyapola.

He said the Ministry had black listed five Indian drug suppliers over the supply of sub standard drugs.

Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva will take a final decision on the resumption of the school rubella vaccination programme once the reports from Canberra and the WHO were received.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=67268

[drjagathv]

Re: Sri Lanka - 1st Suspected Death from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

Hope this information will help prevent and minimise the occurring of deaths and severe complications related to H1N1 infection. Public needs to be aware of the changing situation in order to face the realities effectively. This would also help Sri Lanka face the situation efficiently without messing it up. Preventive strategies needs to be adopted according to the changing situation and the new strategies should be current and up to date. Consultation of the clinicians in organising new strategies is vital.

Suspected patients with H1N1 need early treatment during the first 24 to 48 hours, one of the problems facing all these patients is that it takes a long time to confirm the diagnosis. Delays could lead to complications.

[drjagathv]

Re: Sri Lanka - 1st Suspected Death from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

First Swine flu death in Lanka

By Kumudini Hettiarachchi

A 16-year-old boy in Kandy has died of H1N1 (Swine flu), the first reported death in Sri Lanka of this global pandemic flu, senior health officials confirmed yesterday.

The victim, son of two doctors, died on Wednesday night at the Kandy Teaching Hospital, the officials said. The Medical Research Institute confirmed that the death was caused by H1N1, the officials who declined to be identified, said.

Officials stressed, however, that there was no cause for alarm and urged the public not to panic. “This boy had other complications including spinal and lung problems which could have aggravated the illness and placed him in a high-risk category,” one official explained.

They advised the public to go to the nearest hospital if anyone has a persistent fever for more than two days and flu-like symptoms as most state hospitals are geared to handle H1N1, while Base Hospitals which have consultants have been issued with anti-viral drugs to deal with the virus, an official said. The anti-virals should be taken only on the recommendation of a consultant who has clinically diagnosed H1N1 and deems it the right time to administer them, he said.

Although earlier H1N1 was diagnosed among those coming from abroad and their close contacts, the “community spread” of this flu has now begun in the country. Up to October 15, 115 H1N1-affected people had been detected through the airport surveillance mechanism.

Suspected patients with H1N1 need early treatment during the first 24 to 48 hours, one of the problems facing all these patients is that it takes a long time to confirm the diagnosis.

[drjagathv]

Re: Sri Lanka - 1st Confirmed Death from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

Misdiagnosis cause of virus death


By Sandun A. Jayasekera
The failure to correctly diagnose the A/H1N1 virus has led to Sri Lanka?s first death from the disease, a Health Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

A 16-year-old student of Trinity College in Kandy died at the Kandy Teaching Hospital last Wednesday from complications arising from the influenza virus, A/H1N1. The student?s parents are medical professionals. He had been admitted to Hospital on Monday and diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia.

?The student?s condition worsened and the child passed away from lung failure. We got to know that it was a case of A/H1N1 only after several tests were carried out at the Medical Research Institute (MRI). Even the first tests at the MRI could not pin point the cause of the death. However, the Health Ministry extremely regrets of this unnecessary death and conveys its condolences to the child?s family,? the spokesman said and added that further tests would be carried out at the MRI.

Meanwhile, several samples of Indian made rubella vaccine had been sent to a laboratory in Canberra, Australia for further tests after the second death this year reported from Wariyapola.

The spokesman said the suspended rubella vaccination programme would be resumed in schools after a thorough investigation had been carried and necessary precautions were in place to prevent a repetition of incidents similar to those that took place in Matara and Wariyapola.

He said the Ministry had black listed five Indian drug suppliers over the supply of sub standard drugs.

Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva will take a final decision on the resumption of the school rubella vaccination programme once the reports from Canberra and the WHO were received.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Se...px?ARTID=67268

More and more Health Care personnel at risk at Kandy and Mathara.

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_091/Nov1257861767RA.html

[Fluman]

Who are in the high risk category for Swine Flu ?

In most reports it is mentioned that certain underlying health conditions make Swine Flu deadly. Can we know what these conditions are ?

For instance, wheezing or Asthma is quite common amongst Sri Lankan children nowadays. Do children (say around 10 years) suffering from wheezing (for which inhalers are used), fall in to the high risk category for Swine Flu ?

Do children who have issues like Mitral Valve Prolapse, allergies, etc fall in to the high risk category ?

What are the conditions that make adults fall in to the high risk category ?

Thanks
Fluman

[Laidback Al]

Re: Who are in the high risk category for Swine Flu ?

In most reports it is mentioned that certain underlying health conditions make Swine Flu deadly. Can we know what these conditions are ?

For instance, wheezing or Asthma is quite common amongst Sri Lankan children nowadays. Do children (say around 10 years) suffering from wheezing (for which inhalers are used), fall in to the high risk category for Swine Flu ?

Do children who have issues like Mitral Valve Prolapse, allergies, etc fall in to the high risk category ?

What are the conditions that make adults fall in to the high risk category ?

Thanks
Fluman

Welcome to FluTrackers, Fluman.

Risk factors for H1N1 according to World Health Organization (November 2009) .

Risk factors for severe disease from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection reported to date are considered similar to those risk factors identified for complications from seasonal influenza. These include the following groups:

? Infants and young children, in particular <2 years
? Pregnant women
? Persons of any age with chronic pulmonary disease (e.g. asthma, COPD)
? Persons of any age with chronic cardiac disease (e.g. congestive cardiac failure)
? Persons with metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes)
? Persons with chronic renal disease, chronic hepatic disease, certain neurological conditions (including neuromuscular, neurocognitive, and seizure disorders), hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression, whether due to primary immunosuppressive conditions, such as HIV infection, or secondary conditions, such as immunosuppressive medication or malignancy
? Children receiving chronic aspirin therapy
? Persons aged 65 years and older

From: Clinical management of human infection with pandemic (H1N1) 2009: revised guidance

link to full pdf document can be found at this page:http://www.who.int/csr/resources/pub.../en/index.html

[drjagathv]

Re: Who are in the high risk category for Swine Flu ?

Welcome to FluTrackers, Fluman.

Risk factors for H1N1 according to World Health Organization (November 2009) .

From: Clinical management of human infection with pandemic (H1N1) 2009: revised guidance

link to full pdf document can be found at this page:http://www.who.int/csr/resources/pub.../en/index.html

Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir phosphate seem to be now available on prescription in Sri Lanka in-order to initiate early treatment for the patients belonging to the high-risk groups. We thank every body regarding your concern. We need the vaccine as well.

Dr. V W Jagath Vasanthathilaka.

[drjagathv]

Re: Sri Lanka - 1st Suspected Death from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

First Swine flu death in Lanka

By Kumudini Hettiarachchi

A 16-year-old boy in Kandy has died of H1N1 (Swine flu), the first reported death in Sri Lanka of this global pandemic flu, senior health officials confirmed yesterday.

The victim, son of two doctors, died on Wednesday night at the Kandy Teaching Hospital, the officials said. The Medical Research Institute confirmed that the death was caused by H1N1, the officials who declined to be identified, said.

Officials stressed, however, that there was no cause for alarm and urged the public not to panic. ?This boy had other complications including spinal and lung problems which could have aggravated the illness and placed him in a high-risk category,? one official explained.

They advised the public to go to the nearest hospital if anyone has a persistent fever for more than two days and flu-like symptoms as most state hospitals are geared to handle H1N1, while Base Hospitals which have consultants have been issued with anti-viral drugs to deal with the virus, an official said. The anti-virals should be taken only on the recommendation of a consultant who has clinically diagnosed H1N1 and deems it the right time to administer them, he said.

Although earlier H1N1 was diagnosed among those coming from abroad and their close contacts, the ?community spread? of this flu has now begun in the country. Up to October 15, 115 H1N1-affected people had been detected through the airport surveillance mechanism.

Schools closed.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=68379

[drjagathv]

Re: Sri Lanka - 1st Suspected Death from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

First Swine flu death in Lanka

By Kumudini Hettiarachchi

A 16-year-old boy in Kandy has died of H1N1 (Swine flu), the first reported death in Sri Lanka of this global pandemic flu, senior health officials confirmed yesterday.

The victim, son of two doctors, died on Wednesday night at the Kandy Teaching Hospital, the officials said. The Medical Research Institute confirmed that the death was caused by H1N1, the officials who declined to be identified, said.

Officials stressed, however, that there was no cause for alarm and urged the public not to panic. ?This boy had other complications including spinal and lung problems which could have aggravated the illness and placed him in a high-risk category,? one official explained.

They advised the public to go to the nearest hospital if anyone has a persistent fever for more than two days and flu-like symptoms as most state hospitals are geared to handle H1N1, while Base Hospitals which have consultants have been issued with anti-viral drugs to deal with the virus, an official said. The anti-virals should be taken only on the recommendation of a consultant who has clinically diagnosed H1N1 and deems it the right time to administer them, he said.

Although earlier H1N1 was diagnosed among those coming from abroad and their close contacts, the ?community spread? of this flu has now begun in the country. Up to October 15, 115 H1N1-affected people had been detected through the airport surveillance mechanism.

H1N1 infections seem to be widespread.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=68519

[drjagathv]

Re: Sri Lanka - 1st Suspected Death from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

Hope this information will help prevent and minimise the occurring of deaths and severe complications related to H1N1 infection. Public needs to be aware of the changing situation in order to face the realities effectively. This would also help Sri Lanka face the situation efficiently without messing it up. Preventive strategies needs to be adopted according to the changing situation and the new strategies should be current and up to date. Consultation of the clinicians in organising new strategies is vital.

Sri Lanka Health Ministry orders H1N1 vaccine amid rising death toll
Sat, Nov 21, 2009, 09:17 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Health-care and Nutrition Ministry has placed an immediate order for the WHO approved Novel Influenza (A) H1N1 vaccine amid the rising death toll from the epidemic.

Adding to the death toll rising alarmingly due to the rapid spread of A/H1N1 another death was reported yesterday evening from Kurunegala.

A 58-year-old school principal, K.W Gunathilaka died after he was admitted to the Kurunegala Hospital due to the suspected A/H1N1.

The patient died just a day ahead of his daughter's wedding scheduled to take place today, the family sources said.

Kurunegala Hospital said that over 28 patients are currently receiving treatment at the hospital for AH1N1.

"There have been 258 cases reported in the country so far and there could be a lot more unconfirmed cases," the Health Ministry spokesman, . M. B. Wanninnayake said.

Five deaths have been reported so far, all from the Kandy District and three out of five dead patients were pregnant women.

The Ministry expects to receive the vaccine by December. It will be given on a priority basis to the people of high risk groups including pregnant mothers, infants below six months, elderly above the age of 60 and patients with chronic diseases.

Health-care professionals who handle these patients also need vaccination in order to prevent rapid dissemination of infections. Already a child of a medical professional has expired due to H1N1 infections in Kandy.

[drjagathv]

Re: Sri Lanka - 1st Suspected Death from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

H1N1 infections seem to be widespread.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Se...px?ARTID=68519

Sri Lanka Health Ministry orders H1N1 vaccine amid rising death toll
Sat, Nov 21, 2009, 09:17 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Health-care and Nutrition Ministry has placed an immediate order for the WHO approved Novel Influenza (A) H1N1 vaccine amid the rising death toll from the epidemic.

Adding to the death toll rising alarmingly due to the rapid spread of A/H1N1 another death was reported yesterday evening from Kurunegala.

A 58-year-old school principal, K.W Gunathilaka died after he was admitted to the Kurunegala Hospital due to the suspected A/H1N1.

The patient died just a day ahead of his daughter's wedding scheduled to take place today, the family sources said.

Kurunegala Hospital said that over 28 patients are currently receiving treatment at the hospital for AH1N1.

"There have been 258 cases reported in the country so far and there could be a lot more unconfirmed cases," the Health Ministry spokesman, . M. B. Wanninnayake said.

Five deaths have been reported so far, all from the Kandy District and three out of five dead patients were pregnant women.

The Ministry expects to receive the vaccine by December. It will be given on a priority basis to the people of high risk groups including pregnant mothers, infants below six months, elderly above the age of 60 and patients with chronic diseases.

Health-care professionals who handle these patients also need vaccination in order to prevent rapid dissemination of infections. Already a child of a medical professional has expired due to H1N1 infections in Kandy.

[drjagathv]

Re: Sri Lanka - 1st Suspected Death from H1N1 - Tamiflu Needed

Hope this information will help prevent and minimise the occurring of deaths and severe complications related to H1N1 infection. Public needs to be aware of the changing situation in order to face the realities effectively. This would also help Sri Lanka face the situation efficiently without messing it up. Preventive strategies needs to be adopted according to the changing situation and the new strategies should be current and up to date. Consultation of the clinicians in organising new strategies is vital.

Sri Lanka Health Ministry orders H1N1 vaccine amid rising death toll
Sat, Nov 21, 2009, 09:17 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Health-care and Nutrition Ministry has placed an immediate order for the WHO approved Novel Influenza (A) H1N1 vaccine amid the rising death toll from the epidemic.

Adding to the death toll rising alarmingly due to the rapid spread of A/H1N1 another death was reported yesterday evening from Kurunegala.

A 58-year-old school principal, K.W Gunathilaka died after he was admitted to the Kurunegala Hospital due to the suspected A/H1N1.

The patient died just a day ahead of his daughter's wedding scheduled to take place today, the family sources said.

Kurunegala Hospital said that over 28 patients are currently receiving treatment at the hospital for AH1N1.

"There have been 258 cases reported in the country so far and there could be a lot more unconfirmed cases," the Health Ministry spokesman, . M. B. Wanninnayake said.

Five deaths have been reported so far, all from the Kandy District and three out of five dead patients were pregnant women.

The Ministry expects to receive the vaccine by December. It will be given on a priority basis to the people of high risk groups including pregnant mothers, infants below six months, elderly above the age of 60 and patients with chronic diseases.

Health-care professionals who handle these patients also need vaccination in order to prevent rapid dissemination of infections. Already a child of a medical professional has expired due to H1N1 infections in Kandy.