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Bolivia: Lack of AH1N1 testing materials

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  • Bolivia: Lack of AH1N1 testing materials

    Source: http://www.la-razon.com/versiones/20...249_847542.htm

    Missing material in 3 cities to detect cases of influenza A

    The University Hospital of La Paz, CENETROP Santa Cruz and Cochabamba require laboratory Biomolecular swabs for sampling in the first two cases, and reagents in the third.
    ? TEST ? The University Hospital of La Paz is sampled so they can be taken to a laboratory to analyze whether the patient carries the disease.

    The University Hospital of La Paz, the National Center for Tropical Diseases (CENETROP) from Santa Cruz and Cochabamba Biomolecular laboratory have difficulty in detecting cases of influenza A. In the first two institutions are to take samples of materials for patients, and in the latter case there is no reagents to process the samples.

    In La Paz and Santa Cruz, doctors had to improvise material for nasal and salivary samples.

    "On Saturday at 10.00 and were exhausted swabs (used) to take samples and test tubes to be transferred, so we are using cotton to take samples of saliva," said the director of the Hospital de Clinicas, Eduardo Chavez .

    The swabs are small rods of plastic or wood that have grasped the point that enters the mouth and serves to extract a few drops of saliva, it is placed in test tubes, which are taken to a laboratory.

    But the La Paz hospital is not the only one that lacks swabs. Something similar happens in the CENETROP in Santa Cruz. The laboratory director, Jorge Vargas, said that for several days, the specialists were devised material samples.

    "We use the butterflies, which are plastic injections. Introduced to the nose and nasal samples that way. " The first professional cut the plastic of a new disposable syringe, so that one of the holes in the nose and can remove the mucus.

    "We concluded that, despite the improvisation, is a good way to draw samples to detect cases of influenza A," added Vargas reported that the daily CENETROP serves about 200 people with cold symptoms.

    In this regard, the National Director of Epidemiology, Eddy Martinez, said that the Government sought the material to companies that import these materials.

    "It is providing what is necessary for these centers. What happens is that wear out, they are taking samples to all who come, not only those who show symptoms. "

    But Chavez said that despite the claims, the hospital is still working with pace?o gaps. "We also have the problem that this center even patients in the Social Security Fund, and many children."

    However, the lack of swabs, according to Vargas and Chavez, is due to global demand. "We do not produce these materials in our country, so they must be imported, but many countries require," said Vargas.

    In Cochabamba, the laboratory can not start Biomolecular processing of mu-Stras because no reagents are required in this process. "The Ministry of Health reported that tomorrow (today) we reagents. We look forward to working on the detection of influenza A, "said the head of the department of Cochabamba Laboratories, Gladys Rosales.

    The situation

    Cochabamba ? The Ministry of Health gave only reagents for the laboratory to calibrate equipment Biomolecular.

    La Paz ? The National Institute of Health Laboratories (INLASA) analyzed about 150 samples each day.

    Santa Cruz ? When presented with the disease in the country, only CENETROP did the analysis for the detection of influenza A.

    Quantitate 715 cases infected with the virus

    The number of people infected by the influenza virus AH1N1 increased to 715 in Bolivia. Health Minister Ramiro Tapia, reported that 650 people returned to their homes and are in good health.

    "The country is observed 715 positive cases. Santa Cruz has the largest number with 497, 95 La Paz, Cochabamba 67, Pando and still no case "were the words of Tapia reproduced by the radio network Erbol.

    The Director of Epidemiology, Eddy Martinez, said that the new number of cases should not cause alarm. Until Saturday, the figure exceeded 600 patients.

    "Not all are new cases of influenza A. We should mention that results of samples that were taken (before), "he said.

    As a positive, Tapia reiterated that so far not changed the number of three people killed by the disease.

    "Of these deaths, two had complicated health problems. About 26 years young we are initiating an audit and see if I had a complex pathology. "

    120 thousand teachers immunized against cold

    About 120 thousand teachers across the country will receive a dose of flu vaccine to identify common cases of influenza AH1N1 quickly. The vaccine is not used in people with respiratory infections.

    'This step has two purposes. The first is to quickly detect influenza A and the second will serve as protection for teachers, because they are the ones who have contact with more people and are at risk, "said National Director of Epidemiology, Eddy Martinez.

    Other vaccines are injected, 70 thousand health personnel, including nurses and doctors from all hospitals in the country, 10 thousand doses will be used for medical students, 300 thousand to 65 thousand and 50 years for patients with chronic ills.
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