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Mexico eyes Chilean experience to plan for winter A/H1N1

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  • Mexico eyes Chilean experience to plan for winter A/H1N1

    Source: http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2009/07/0...ticle=033n1soc

    Google translation:


    In Argentina, the electoral process was brought to the policy against A/H1N1
    Influenza in Chile, which hopes to advance Mexico in the winter

    Santiago reached the peak of infection, the number of patients will begin to decline, says WHO

    With the contingency, the government "unified" system of public and private health
    Photo

    Cancun, QR, July 4. Just started the austral winter and a month and half after the first reported ill from influenza A/H1N1, Chile has more than 8 mil-confirmed cases in Mexico three months leading 11-thousand, 200 hospitalized and 14 deaths.

    Jeanette Vega, Deputy Minister of Health of that country, said that in this period tripled the demand for medical consultations in health centers and emergency areas. To receive all affected hospitals were suspended surgeries scheduled monthly appointments chronic patients (diabetes, hypertension) and the control children. Pregnant women were sent to other units.

    Even so, support staff, patients have to wait three hours in hospital before being served. He warned that this scenario is very close to Mexico to live by the end of the year.
    The epidemic that struck the Mexicans came when the winter season had already ended. On April 23, the Health Secretariat (SSA) announced the presence of the new strain of flu.

    In an interview, during the high-level lessons learned from the influenza A/H1N1, Vega said that the viral infection in Chile has been given by region, allowing for "modular" medical services, ie, focusing attention on the area where the patients are reported. However, he acknowledged that without the measures taken by the government clinics and hospitals, caring capacity was exceeded and, surely, the death toll would be higher.

    He stressed that due to the uncertainty of whether the vaccine will be available by December, as was raised at the meeting to be held in this tourist destination with the presence of the director of the World Health Organization, Margaret Chan, and representatives from 43 countries it is best that the Northern Hemisphere prepare for a major increase in demand for medical consultations for influenza.

    Even, he said, is very likely, as in Chile, which only reported infections caused by the new A/H1N1 viruses.In the South American country just 2 percent for seasonal strains.

    The case of Chile because it highlights the first country in the southern hemisphere which has the complete statistical information, unlike Argentina, which speaks of 100 thousand patients and over 44 killed, but data are not available.


    At the international meeting, Mirta Roses, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), noted that the electoral process was brought to the health policy and is now after the elections, you start to know the real information on the effects of the pandemic in Argentina.


    Jeanette Vega explained that in Chile the disease has characteristics similar to those reported in the north of the continent moderate severity, but a large number of patients. This year the number of people with influenza has doubled compared to that recorded in 2008, mainly because the entire population is susceptible to new viruses.

    He stressed the importance, now, Mexico is prepared with the purchase of fans to control the respiratory complications that are common in young adults. We must also increase the number of hospital beds and health personnel. In Chile was used, even medical students last year, in addition to the primary care units are open 24 hours.

    On the profile of patients, Vega said that is similar to other countries with large numbers of patients at school age, although with slight frames, whereas among young adults 20 to 49 years, severe complications and high mortality. About 40 percent of previously healthy people were killed and the remaining 60 per cent had chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.


    He recalled that the winter in the southern hemisphere runs from June to September and in Santiago estimated that already reached the peak of the pandemic, so the number of patients will begin to decline, although "we still have to wait."

    He mentioned that for this contingency, the government decided to "unify" the systems of public and private health, and from the center are decisions about where you should send to the patients for their clinical care. The above, with the aim of preventing hospitals from being saturated.

    Vega explained that the preventive measures were promoted in Chile and said that the suspension of school activities occurred only in areas where outbreaks have been reported of infection. The same goes for mass entertainment, where there is risk of transmission.


    The Chilean official noted that from the health emergency in Mexico, his country had started to design the actions to be implemented this season. Otherwise, he admitted, the scene would have been completely different. "Surely we would have ended because the fans have been busy with patients undergoing surgery, and hospital beds have been insufficient."
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