Ciudad del Este: At least 6 people suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness - H1N1 and hantavirus excluded

[tetano]

Ciudad del Este. Agency regional-the Regional Hospital of this city dawn yesterday with severe restrictions on the entry of people into the sector of internees from the placement between Wednesday and yesterday at the dawn of five youth and one older adult with pictures of acute respiratory infections (Ira).
One had entered on Wednesday, three others on Thursday and yesterday at the morning other two patients. They are five youth and an adult, father of one of the admitted.

One is in the intensive therapy unit, and both the father and his daughter were referred yesterday to assumption because the picture worsened and already would need of ICU (intensive therapy unit), according to the director of the Regional Hospital, Dr. Mario Flecha.

All have common denominator belong to the municipality of Presidente Franco and have shared a spiritual retreat on 23 October last in the Park Salto del Monday, as part of the activity of the Church Universal ("stop suffering"), which are all sick.

?Do not have a precise diagnosis of what germ, what virus it is which is attacking. It has the characteristic of a viral pattern, we already did a test for influenza and was discarded with the early studies. "Will continue to investigate," said medical director. It also reported that you reported to the Department of epidemiology of the sanitary region which is already doing the follow-up of cases.


Two young patients are co-workers at a factory of Hernandarias.

?"Already it is contacting workplaces affected so that corrective measures are taken and also to verify if there are some other febrile paintings or respiratory problems", said Dr. arrow.

However, it indicated that patients had already the possibility to contact thousands of people in the process that the virus was incubating.

http://www.lanacion.com.py/articulo/45867-raro-mal-respiratorio-sufren-6-miembros-de-iglesia-universal.html

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Re: 6 Universal church members suffer rare breathing illness

Someone has posted the following interesting comments on the article:

Natty-danny-walls Melgarejo 1 Comment hidden Close Expand
profecional that unethical or even are well informed of what happened are fully equibocados youth were walking alone, to spend a Sunday with friends and not the church sufrir.Creo stop you have to learn to do well after these charges so serious they have to publish the truth. NOT INVENT iT IS A LIE tHAT aRE pOSTING. Show more Show less
A I like 9 hours ago Reply 0 Like F
Jorge Melgarejo 1 Comment hidden Close Expand
WTF?, I had nothing to do with the Universal Church nor Stop Suffering! .. My neighbors are affected

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Re: 6 Universal church members suffer rare breathing illness

http://www.ultimahora.com/notas/478368-Brote-de-infeccion-respiratoria-deja-grave-a-6-personas-en-CDE

HEALTH | 08:44 | Saturday, November 5, 2011 Outbreak of severe respiratory infection leaves six people in Ciudad del Este
A group of six people, all French president and members of one religious sect, arrived at the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este, with severe that affect the respiratory system. It is a striking phenomenon that has never before recorded in the Regional Hospital, according to director Mario Flecha.

Before the outbreak alert was declared at the Regional Hospital and all were forced to use facemasks. (Photo: Sophia Masi).

Read more notes in ET "


By Sophia Masi | CIUDAD DEL ESTE


"At least we never got a group of people, all epidemiologically linked to suffer from what we diagnose as severe acute respiratory failure. They started with a flu, then already suffered from shortness of breath until a pulmonary failure," said the doctor.


Two patients, father and daughter were rushed to Asuncion, another patient is in intensive care and three remain hospitalized.


These are people who belong to one family or known to the church. Most work in a cloth factory in Hernandarias and are young people between 18 and 30.


"It is remarkable that they have been affected both the disease when they are young that are supposed to have more defenses and are more resilient," said Dr. Arrow.


PREVENTION. He said that as a preventive measure before a possible expansion of evil, Epidemiology officials to survey data and the living environment in the patients, to detect possible foci or affected by the disease.


While patients remain hospitalized at the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este, prohibiting visits of all kinds, only one may be familiar with each patient, whether any specialty.


"We want to avoid any infection inside the hospital, until they find out exactly what this disease," said Dr. Mario Flecha.

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Re: 6 Universal church members suffer rare breathing illness

Six severe H1N1 cases in a cluster like this is unlikely, and the first post indicates the patients are negative for flu, likely by rapid test. Could they have inhaled a toxin? The exposures from last Monday might also raise the possibility of hantavirus infection. There have been several pneumonic plague outbreaks in South America over the past year as well.

http://www.oviedopress.com/nacionales/sucesos/1425-extrana-infeccion-respiratoria-en-hospital-regional

Strange respiratory infection in Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este.
Saturday, November 5, 2011 9:32 Vanguardia. .
A strange case of respiratory infection affected a group of members of a religious sect of Presidente Franco and forced the white staff and patients of the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este to evacuate the halls.


Dr. Mario Flecha noted that it is a religious or occupational epidemiological link, since the infected were working as employees of the clothing factory Cotton Quality International, located in Hernandarias and belong to the Assemblies of God. It is suspected that the disease is the result of an act of religious healing.

Those infected were admitted to hospital on Wednesday night. First came three people with respiratory problems and appeared yesterday morning three more cases with the same symptoms.

Given the seriousness of the situation, alerted health professionals in all patients and visitors who were in the waiting rooms on the occurrence of a contagious disease and that they leave the hospital.

Immediately distributed surgical masks to people who were inside the medical center and its surroundings.

The case was complicated by the absence of the epidemiologist Ruben Cardozo, who was at Assumption performing other functions, responsible reporting. The care center's director, Mario Flecha, said that it would be influenza but the doctors [doubt it] is that the affected belonged to the same sect and workplace.

Only two of the patients' names are Julio transcended and Esther Nunez Cardozo, transferred to the Social Security Institute (IPS) of the capital, because in this area do not have clinical teams and medical professionals in the area understandable . The others remain with oxygen in intensive care at the Regional Hospital and will undergo medical tests.

Following a meeting of medical and administrative staff appointed as spokesman Arrow, since nobody wanted to provide data on it claimed it was very rare and severe. Arrow provided for the cleaning of the Trauma Hospital where they were from patients who were in therapy intern who had respiratory problems. They were also alerted the medical directors and Hernandarias Presidente Franco, for any eventuality that may arise.

A SOURCE

Professionals from the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), went to the local Quality Cotton for getting data and send them to Asuncion where it will be analyzed, as in the East do not have laboratory equipment to detect what the disease is.

The factory manager, Joel Cano, denied that the six people infected are employees of the place and that only two of the patients in that work locally and presumably with pneumonia.

He said he is open to provide data to MSP officials. The cases remain under observation, according to the director of the Regional Hospital.

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Re: 6 Universal church members suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness

Since only two of the six work in the factory, unless H2H with short incubation period is suspected (as would be the case with H1N1 or plague), the factory is likely a red herring. The Monday church retreat might be relevant, though, if all six attended.

http://www.abc.com.py/nota/extranos-casos-respiratorios/

Strange respiratory cases


CIUDAD DEL ESTE (From our regional language). A strange respiratory infection affected a group of members of a religious sect of Presidente Franco and forced the white staff and patients at the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este to evacuate the halls.

The hospital director, Dr. Mario Flecha, said that it is a religious or occupational epidemiological link, since the infected were working as employees of the clothing factory Cotton Quality International, located in Hernandarias, and belong to the Assemblies of God religion . It is suspected that the disease is the result of an act of religious healing.

Those infected were admitted to hospital since Wednesday in the night, arrived first three people with respiratory problems. On Friday, in morning, came three more cases with the same symptoms.

Given the seriousness of the situation, the hospital staff alerted all patients and visitors who were in the waiting rooms on the occurrence of a contagious disease. Immediately distributed surgical masks to people who were inside the health center and its surroundings.

The case was complicated by the absence of the epidemiologist Ruben Cardozo, who was at Assumption performing other functions, as reported by the perpetrators.

The manager of the clothing factory, Joel Cano, denied that the 6-infected persons are employees of the place and said that only two of the sick work there.

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Re: 6 Universal church members suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness

And ProMED Spanish picks up the story.

http://www.promedmail.org/es

Date Published: 11/05/2011 13:16:58
Subject: PRO / ESP> Infec. Replies severe, unexplained, religious sect - Paraguay (EC)
Archive Number: 20111105.234610

INFECAR. RESP. Acute, cause unknown, religious sects - PARAGUAY
(CIUDAD DEL ESTE)
************************************************** ****

A ProMED-mail news

http://www.promedmail.org

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

http://www.isid.org

Date: November 5, 2011
Source: Ultima Hora, Paraguay

[Edited by J. Torres]

A group of six people, all from the town of Presidente Franco and
members of one religious sect, came to the Hospital
Regional Ciudad del Este, with severe that affect the
respiratory system. It is a striking phenomenon and never
previously recorded in the Regional Hospital, according to director Mario
Flecha.

Before the outbreak alert was declared and all the Regional Hospital
were forced to use facemasks. "At least we never came
a group of people, all epidemiologically linked to suffer from what
diagnosed as severe acute respiratory failure.
They started with a flu, then we suffered a hardship for
breathing until a pulmonary failure, "said the doctor.

Two patients, father and daughter were rushed to
Assumption, another patient is in intensive care and three others
remain hospitalized.

These are people who belong to one family or known to the
church. Most work in a cloth factory in Hernandarias and
are young people between 18 and 30 years.

"It is remarkable that they have been affected both the disease, when
that because young people are supposed to have more defenses and are more
resilient, "said Dr. Arrow.

He said that as a preventive measure before a possible expansion of
worse, officials conducted a survey of epidemiology data and
the environment in living patients, to detect
potential sources or affected by the disease.

While patients remain hospitalized at the Regional Hospital
Ciudad del Este, prohibiting visits of any kind, only a relative
may be with each patient, whether any specialty.

"We want to avoid any infection within the hospital itself, to
to find out exactly what this disease, "
said Dr. Mario Flecha.


Reported by: Jaime R. Torres

- ProMED-ESP

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Re: 6 Universal church members suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness

From the comments on:

http://www.ultimahora.com/notas/478368-Brote-de-infeccion-respiratoria-deja-grave-a-6-personas-en-CDE

1) Only a few belong to the same church, who went to the Salto del Monday with a group of friends, is where most serious affected appeared 2) Possibly the disease comes from the factory where they left 15 people infected. That would be good if the wording would have better control of the data .. A relative of mine is in intensive care, is one of those affected ..

[In light of these and other comments, I am removing the reference to the church from the title of this thread. It is possible the number of cases could significantly exceed the original six reported. The articles are not consistent as to how many of the victims attended the church, how many work in the factory, and even when they were admitted to hospital. - alert]

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Re: Ciudad del Este: At least 6 people suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness

Some good news. It has apparently been 48-72 hours since the previous articles, and no new cases or fatalites, which is significant considering the entire outbreak has occurred in the past week.

It is far less likely, given that everyone is still alive, that this is the result of hantavirus or plague infection. This article notably puts all six victims in both the factory and the church.

http://www.diariovanguardia.com.py/component/content/article/111-ultimo-momento/21170-tardaran-una-semana-mas-para-conocer-sobre-rara-infeccion-que-contagio-a-miembros-de-una-secta-.html

Take a week to learn about rare infection that spread to members of a sect.
Monday, November 7, 2011 17:40 times viewed: 25. . User Rating: / 0
MaloBueno
. Only in a week will the results of laboratory tests that were subjected to six people admitted with a rare picture of respiratory infection in the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este.

Patients came to the clinic last Friday and forced the plight of health workers and others to evacuate the hospital.

All those infected with evil belong to a religious sect and live in a community where President Franco. Another coincidence is that they all work in a factory in Hernandarias.

The epidemiologist, said Dr. Ruben Cardozo is a suspected Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), but is under control. The patients remain under observation and isolated until the results of clinical examinations.

Two of the victims were in critical condition from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Social Security Institute (IPS) in Asuncion. Another infected IPS is in this city, while three are admitted to the ICU of the Regional Hospital. All are stable, according to a medical report. IPS director of Ciudad del Este, Dr. Carlos Pallarol, said it could be pneumonia.

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Re: Ciudad del Este: At least 6 people suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness

Negative for H1N1 and hantavirus. If the church is the common denominator, perhaps Legionella should be tested for.

http://www.diariovanguardia.com.py/noticias-varias/noticias-varias/salud/21170-tardaran-una-semana-mas-para-conocer-sobre-rara-infeccion-que-contagio-a-miembros-de-una-secta-.html

Take a week to learn about rare infection that spread to members of a sect.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 4:40 .. User Rating: / 0
MaloBueno
.
In one week recently laboratory results will be about six people who were admitted with a rare contagious respiratory infection box to the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este. The patients came to hospital on Friday and forced the plight of health workers and others to evacuate. The epidemiologist said Ruben Cardozo is a suspected Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), which is controlled. The patients remain under observation and isolated pending the outcome of clinical.

Two of the patients were in critical condition from intensive therapy Social Security Institute (IPS) in Asuncion. Another infected IPS is in this city while three are admitted to the Regional Hospital therapy, all stable, according to a medical report. IPS director of Ciudad del Este, said Dr. Carlos Pallarol could be pneumonia.

The Tenth epidemiologist Health Region, Dr. Ruben Cardozo said that was ruled out suspected pneumonia, hantavirus, A H1 N1. He explained that this is a SARI, caused by a virus. He noted that the entire sequence was followed epidemiological and laboratory tests were sent to Asuncion, because this area still do not have medical equipment to detect the type of virus.

Given the situation was alerted health staff Hernandarias and President Franco. Those infected are the neighborhoods of San Antonio and San Sebastian, Franco. Two of them are identified as Julius and Esther Nunez Cardozo, hospitalized in the capital.

The data of other patients are kept in reserve, because the white staff is not authorized to give the identity of patients, said Dr. Cardozo.

Two people were working as employees at the factory Quality International Cotton Hernandarias, while another in Vision Bank and a third is a popular high school student in the area. Those responsible for epidemiology involved in the said places, for the corresponding block and to date no further cases.

It is presumed that infection is the result of a religious connection, as strikingly six people belonging to the same sect and are the only sick.

Ruben Cardozo noted that the Regional Hospital is unable to determine the type of virus and the only thing you can do in these cases is the immediate block where the epidemic broke out presumably.

According to health officials suspected the outbreak would have occurred in the Salto del Monday, where, coincidentally, the six people shared a weekend days ago, according to data collected by the white workers who attended infected.

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Re: Ciudad del Este: At least 6 people suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness - H1N1 and hantavirus excluded

Negative for leptospirosis as well.

The timing is now strongly indicative of a single exposure, and the lack of secondary cases by now probably rules out contagion.

http://www.diariovanguardia.com.py/noticias-varias/noticias-varias/salud/21316-pacientes-con-infeccion-grave-siguen-aislados.html

Patients with severe infection are isolated.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 2:12 .. User Rating: / 0
MaloBueno
The six patients suffering from a rare respiratory infection were still under observation and isolated in intensive care at the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este.


The care center's director, Dr. Mario Flecha, said the patient was out of danger but remain under medical care to avoid any eventuality.

Arnella Hector, director of the Tenth Health Region, said that everything is under control and laboratory studies are in progress.

"I would say that is a primary atypical pneumonia," he said. Were derived from a total of 18 blood samples from those infected to Asuncion. It was ruled out hantavirus and leptospirosis.

Patients admitted to hospital last November 4 with a strange respiratory infection that forced the evacuation of patients from the Regional Hospital. Were six patients, one of which served as an employee of Quality Cotton clothing factory and a bank's International Vision.

In the said places health authorities proceeded to lock and no other related cases.

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Re: Ciudad del Este: At least 6 people suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness - H1N1 and hantavirus excluded

And samples go to the US CDC. This is likely to be something pretty exotic, if not outright novel.

The factory in question is a cloth factory, which doesn't bring any unusual exposures to mind and is likely not relevant as only 2 of the 6 individuals worked there, and everyone took ill at the same time.

And two of the six patients have been discharged.

http://www.ultimahora.com/notas/479476-No-logran-identificar-que-virus-afecto-a-varias-personas-

HEALTH | 11:18 | Thursday, November 10, 2011 They fail to identify a number of people affected virus
The virus that left six people seriously ill, all of Presidente Franco and the same religious sect, could not be determined by Sanitary Surveillance Ministry of Health, so samples were sent for analysis in the United States.


Read more notes in ET "


By Sophia Masi | CIUDAD DEL ESTE


This was announced by Dr. Mario Flecha, director of the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este. The general diagnosis is acute respiratory failure, but not yet determined what was the virus that caused this condition. What is striking about this case is that the disease affected several people who have family ties and social interaction.

These are people who belong to one family or known to the church. Most work in a cloth factory in Hernandarias and are young people between 18 and 30.


HEALTH STATUS. Patients arrived in critical condition last week to the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este, with difficulty breathing. Two patients, father and daughter were rushed to Asuncion and are hospitalized, but stable. Another patient is hospitalized for the same condition at the Regional Hospital of the Social Security Institute.


The two patients who were admitted to the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este and were discharged, while another is in intensive care.


The situation returned to normal in the center of health are, where they had implemented strict control measures to prevent spread of the disease.

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Re: Ciudad del Este: At least 6 people suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness - H1N1 and hantavirus excluded

http://www.diariolajornada.com.py/v1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=881:muestras-de-raro-virus-fueron-enviadas-a-eeuu-ante-incapacidad-de-salud-publica-&catid=70:locales&Itemid=121

Rare virus samples were sent to U.S. inability to Public Health
Friday, November 11, 2011 00:26
The Public Health professionals are not trained to detect the type of virus that affected six people in a religious sect, so samples were sent to America to be analyzed by experts. So said Dr. Mario Flecha, director of the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este, where one of the victims hospitalized in intensive care. He argued that the general diagnosis is acute respiratory failure, which makes the patient needs artificial respirator. The virus that left six people seriously ill, all of Presidente Franco and the same religious sect, could not be determined by Sanitary Surveillance Ministry of Health, so samples were sent to the U.S. for analysis.
"What is striking here is that the disease affected several people who have family ties and social interaction. These are people who belong to one family or known in the church. Most work in a factory in Hernandarias and are young people between 18 and 30 years, "said the director of the hospital.
In the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este is one in intensive care for those affected and two were discharged, but with regular treatment, said the director of the hospital. While In the meantime, two of the patients continue their treatment in Asuncion LACIMET and another in the local IPS.
The hospital director said that so far the patient Pedro Paredes is in ICU, but shows slight improvement. He said the outbreak of atypical disease nationwide impact, because until now there is a clear picture of the case, because most studies were performed ruling out diseases.
Patients in LACIMET, Julio Nunez and Esther Cardozo, still in the Intensive Therapy Unit, according to Dr. Arrow.
The six inmates are from the San Sebastian neighborhood of Presidente Franco, who come to a temple called "Philadelphia." Two of them work in the factory Quality International in the city of Hernandarias
The situation returned to normal in the center of health are, where they had implemented strict control measures to prevent spread of the disease.

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Re: Ciudad del Este: At least 6 people suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness - H1N1 and hantavirus excluded

May or may not be related, but this is the hospital treating at least one of the above patients.

http://diariovanguardia.com.py/noticias-varias/noticias-varias/salud/21297-hospital-regional-se-ve-colapsado-con-pacientes-tirados-en-el-suelo.html

Regional Hospital is overwhelmed with patients lying on the ground.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 5:31 .. User Rating: / 0
MaloBueno
. Previous1 of 2Siguiente.Un chaos occurred yesterday at the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este, which was filled with patients who waited sitting on the floor to be answered. Excessive crowding makes the situation becomes unbearable for white professionals. For three days the hospital is fully collapsed and presumably chaotic situation be maintained throughout the summer season for influenza cases that are presented.

The main problem is the transfer of emergency patients to hospital transfer of critically ill patients, transfer of patients to trials, mobilization of patients who need daily lifting, and other functions.

The service takes between 1 to 2 hours, because of the exaggerated amount of patients.

The service workers and patients who come in the morning shift are most suffering from this situation as most of the services and consultations are done in this turn, and is most noticeable where the need to improve sanitary conditions by the disproportionate increase public hospital work.

Another shortcoming is the lack of medical supplies reported themselves as white workers. The repeated claims of the officials of regional health area have been in vain, since the situation did not change with the passing of days and even more chaotic is looming, as found.

The director of the Regional Hospital, Dr. Mario Flecha, explained in more of a chance that the lack of supplies or drugs is not apathy of medical leaders, but the number of patients exceeds the capacity of the hospital.

He said the institution in charge must also provide basic supplies to different health posts located in the neighborhoods.

The laboratory, intensive care and emergency services are among the areas most affected by the lack of basic elements to ensure the hygiene of the facilities first, then the operation of medical services.

[Vibrant62]

Re: Ciudad del Este: At least 6 people suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness - H1N1 and hantavirus excluded

deleted

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Re: Ciudad del Este: At least 6 people suffer unidentifed severe respiratory illness - H1N1 and hantavirus excluded

Note the date here: This is two weeks old, and I just missed it earlier. This is the first mention of possible links to China, but I don't know how reliable this source is (for example, it mentions links to China, but fears H1N1, not H5N1 or SARS).

Oddly, no more recent reports seem to have been issued...

http://www.diariolajornada.com.py/v1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=789:virus-que-ataca-a-miembros-de-secta-seria-una-nueva-cepa-del-h1n1-traida-de-china-&catid=70:locales&Itemid=121

Virus that attacks the cult members would be a new strain of H1N1 brought from China
Monday, November 7, 2011 9:51
Until yesterday all who were in the Regional Hospital tapaboca used to prevent health professionals contagien.Los Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este hantavirus would suspect that attacked six people, members of a sect of President Franco. Meanwhile, other emerging data that the virus had moved from China and would be a new strain of H1N1, as two of the victims were working in a garment factory located in Hernandarias, where they work with materials brought this country's east. This situation worries health officials, but so far the disease was diagnosed.
The director of the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este, Dr. Mario Flecha, reported that three patients remain in the medical center, one of them, Pedro Paredes, is in ICU. Meanwhile, two patients (Julio Nunez and Esther Cardozo), both in serious condition, still in Medical Clinic Assumption. The doctor said that a girl was transferred to the IPS Regional Hospital in the provincial capital. He noted that this week would have laboratory results of the tests sent to the capital of the country and added that the concern is still present, as there is a risk of widespread infection.
The six inmates are from the San Sebastian neighborhood of Presidente Franco, who attend an evangelical sect called "Philadelphia." Two of them work in the factory Internatio-nal Quality of Hernandarias, where garments are handled, ie materials brought mostly from China. So far, no one knows where they acquired the disease, presenting as a respiratory condition. The situation worries the health center managers, because of the possibility of being affected more people, so restricting access to several agencies of the hospital.
The care center director said that flocked those affected, but since last Wednesday were nearing the patients with the same symptoms, but coincidentally, all belonging to the same community, so it is presumed that there was spread among the followers of the sect.
Dr. Arrow said the situation is quite delicate, because patients are going on all for a period of evolution when it mentions a picture of severe acute respiratory failure. He said that all patients have difficulty breathing, so they are assisted with oxygen. The doctor said they are facing an unusual situation and give a warning to the authorities of central and regional epidemiology to support the diagnoses of patients. He argued that the medical center are unfortunately still difficult to diagnose atypical.
The hospital director said preparing for any eventuality Trauma Ward, Don, for they would be moving the patients in surgery to clear the place for people who become infected by unknown virus, since in the new location is not with oxygen.
The officers made a general cleaning upstairs medical complex to install beds and other medical equipment.