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Nicaragua affected by H3N2 influenza virus
Health authorities reported that the symptoms-high fever, headache, cough and pain in the body, are almost identical to H1N1 influenza.
by DPA - 10/06/2010 - 20:02
Nicaragua health officials warned today about the presence of the dangerous H3N2 influenza virus, which reappeared in this country after 33 years and is affecting hundreds of people, especially children and youth.
The head of epidemiology at the Ministry of Health (MoH), Edmundo Sanchez, said the virus is as damaging as the influenza A (H1N1), both for its rapid expansion as harmful effects on human health.
"We are in the presence of H3N2 influenza virus, a virus is not new but dates back to 1977," said the specialist, the manager for Health Surveillance of the MoH.
He noted that the symptoms (high fever, headache, cough and body aches) are almost identical to H1N1 influenza, which raged for a year on the planet and in Nicaragua, killing 11 people and affected at least 2,000.
"The fever (caused by H3N2) are so high and headaches so severe that the patient is literally lying in bed, without the strength to move," said the expert.
Sanchez said the MoH collects statistics on the population infected with this "old virus" that attacks harder for those under 33 years, for lack of antibodies, but can also affect babies and the elderly because of the risk of resulting pneumonia.
Hospital officials have reported in recent weeks, a saturation of patients with respiratory infections at a rate of more than 5,000 cases per day.
However, so far this year occurred only 12 deaths from pneumonia, 25 percent less than in the first five months of 2009, according to official data.
The MoH also has an "epidemiological fence" in the south of the country, bordering Costa Rica, due to an outbreak of H1N1 influenza in five of the seven provinces of that nation, which has left at least six people dead and hundreds affected.
Nicaragua affected by H3N2 influenza virus
Health authorities reported that the symptoms-high fever, headache, cough and pain in the body, are almost identical to H1N1 influenza.
by DPA - 10/06/2010 - 20:02
Nicaragua health officials warned today about the presence of the dangerous H3N2 influenza virus, which reappeared in this country after 33 years and is affecting hundreds of people, especially children and youth.
The head of epidemiology at the Ministry of Health (MoH), Edmundo Sanchez, said the virus is as damaging as the influenza A (H1N1), both for its rapid expansion as harmful effects on human health.
"We are in the presence of H3N2 influenza virus, a virus is not new but dates back to 1977," said the specialist, the manager for Health Surveillance of the MoH.
He noted that the symptoms (high fever, headache, cough and body aches) are almost identical to H1N1 influenza, which raged for a year on the planet and in Nicaragua, killing 11 people and affected at least 2,000.
"The fever (caused by H3N2) are so high and headaches so severe that the patient is literally lying in bed, without the strength to move," said the expert.
Sanchez said the MoH collects statistics on the population infected with this "old virus" that attacks harder for those under 33 years, for lack of antibodies, but can also affect babies and the elderly because of the risk of resulting pneumonia.
Hospital officials have reported in recent weeks, a saturation of patients with respiratory infections at a rate of more than 5,000 cases per day.
However, so far this year occurred only 12 deaths from pneumonia, 25 percent less than in the first five months of 2009, according to official data.
The MoH also has an "epidemiological fence" in the south of the country, bordering Costa Rica, due to an outbreak of H1N1 influenza in five of the seven provinces of that nation, which has left at least six people dead and hundreds affected.
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