Tweet
Epidemiological alert in Bolivia for influenza A/H1N1
July 28, 2010, 07:00
La Paz - Bolivia .- The Ministry of Health, through the National Epidemiology Unit, said the national epidemiological alert for the new H1N1 human influenza, told Onda Local Enlared-responsible of Epidemiology, Ren? Lennis. To date, six departments, 32 were laboratory-confirmed cases of the disease and there are 967 suspects.
"We see that the H1N1 virus has become more respiratory circulating in our country, we must learn to live with this virus, therefore, was expected to be submitted at any time in our cases," said Lennis.
The latter was reported in Cochabamba, it is a 29-year-old, adding to it 967 suspected cases.
He reported that the patient is in outpatient treatment, ie staying at home with the respective care and showing a positive trend.
Regarding cases in the city of La Paz, which currently has the highest number of infected with influenza in the country, Lenis referred to the last two infected people, who are in intensive care, a child of one year of age and 64 other person, where both have a favorable outcome.
With this last case reported in Cochabamba, total 32 cases of H1N1 flu in the country made official until Tuesday the 29th week, where six correspond to the department of Santa Cruz, two to Beni, Cochabamba and now two in 22 in the department La Paz, within that 14 belong to the city of La Paz and eight to El Alto.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In this context, Lenis recommended to the general population, preventive measures to resume the already known since last year and which in turn are not being met. He asserted the importance of its application to avoid further spread of influenza, so that is ruled out a second wave of epidemic.
The basic and important recommendations are that when you cough or sneeze, you should cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief, much better if disposable to eliminate it in a safe place, also washing hands with soap and water frequently.
Also, avoid shaking hands and kissing. "We must get used to these habits at least at this stage of alert in which we live, it is also advisable not to go to crowded places unnecessarily and agglomerates, are basic and important recommendations," he said.
SYMPTOMS
Also, the Chief Epidemiologist recalled the main symptoms of influenza, including fever, cough, sore throat, muscle and joint pain so intense. He urged the people with these symptoms assist health centers to the respective query.
In this regard, called on people not to be alarmed because the H1N1 influenza virus has become more a respiratory infection, like other respiratory viruses circulating in our environment as seasonal influenza A, B, between others, Lenis said that this virus is here to stay and people should learn to live with this virus, as was done with the other influenzas.
VACCINATION
Until the last weeks of vaccination coverage reached 72 percent, meaning that 100 people were vaccinated 72, but according to the report prepared by the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in recent days there is an increase demand for the vaccine.
"They are forming some queues in different health centers and this is good because people should get vaccinated to protect themselves from the H1N1 virus, 400 000 doses have to implement," said Lenis.
Lenis, also said that Bolivia is better prepared to face a second wave of H1N1 influenza because it has a significant number of vaccines against the virus.
He said that the Ministry of Health in information campaigns to emphasize that citizenship practice preventive measures such as washing hands and continuous cough etiquette to prevent the spread of the disease.
In 2009 the Ministry of Health reported 2,500 confirmed cases of influenza H1N1 and 59 deaths in Bolivia.
The Journal
Comment