Argentina Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

[Shiloh]

Source: http://momento24.com/2009/06/25/gripe-a-el-gobierno-podria-declarar-la-emergencia-sanitaria/

Google translation:
Influenza A: the government could declare a health emergency
Published on June 25 2009 at 12:02

flu-a-woman-and child -

The possibility of an emergency order is being considered by the Ministry of Health of the Nation, which is expected in the next few hours of a crisis committee meeting to discuss the health situation.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Graciela Ocana, acknowledged that analyze the extent of the health emergency decree by the advance of the influenza A in the country.

"We are waiting for the meeting of the Coordinating Unit which will touch this issue and many others," he said Oca?a.

Moreover, before the advance of influenza A in the country, the Argentine Federation of Trade Unions in the Health Professions at the Ministry of Health asked to declare the health emergency in the country.

Although the measure would cover only the metropolitan area, from the Ministry of Health of the province of Buenos Aires said they are expecting the decision taken in the portfolio, although not ruled out making any determination on their own.

The government decree analyzes health emergency in the capital and suburbs next week, after the legislative elections, which would lead to drastic measures to contain the contagion, with the temporary closure of places of mass gathering, like schools, malls, cinemas and recitals.

The H1N1 influenza daily part of the ministry, reported last night of 97 new positive cases and four new deaths, one in Misiones, bringing the total number of deaths rose to 21. However, some health authorities estimated yesterday s fatal cases that are already more than officially reported and there were reports of 15 other deaths in the last few hours after the virus A (H1N1).

Meanwhile, as officially reported cases in 1391 reached around the country, although many experts argued that actual cases reported to markedly surpass.

Oca?a also stated that "all are susceptible to the disease, 40 million Argentines can get it." Therefore "it is very important to take preventive measures to not get sick and infect others," he said.

 

[wotan]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

The H1N1 influenza daily part of the ministry, reported last night of 97 new positive cases and four new deaths, one in Misiones, bringing the total number of deaths rose to 21. However, some health authorities estimated yesterday s fatal cases that are already more than officially reported and there were reports of 15 other deaths in the last few hours after the virus A (H1N1).

Anyone here from Argentina or who is familiar with the country? This is getting troubling. Are we dealing with quality of health care versus, for instance, Australia that is resulting in more deaths? Or could it be they are being more open in their reporting? Or, is the virus changing there and becoming more lethal? Hopefully they will post sequences from Argentina.

 

[The Mountains Voice]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

The possibility of an emergency order is being considered by the Ministry of Health of the Nation, which is expected in the next few hours of a crisis committee meeting to discuss the health situation.[/B]
The H1N1 influenza daily part of the ministry, reported last night of 97 new positive cases and four new deaths, one in Misiones, bringing the total number of deaths rose to 21. However, some health authorities estimated yesterday s fatal cases that are already more than officially reported and there were reports of 15 other deaths in the last few hours after the virus A (H1N1).

Very Disturbing. Do we have any recent isolate reports coming out of Argentina? We seeing a change in the virus?

 

[The Mountains Voice]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-SwineFlu/idUSTRE55O02I20090625
Below is a quote from the above story link from yesterday -

Emergency room visits in Chile for respiratory ailments have tripled and are straining capacity, said Julio Montt, deputy secretary at the Health Ministry.

Waiting lines are seven hours in public hospitals and up to four hours in private clinics.

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Are there a disproportionate number of aboriginals who are are the hardest hit?

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

IMO...part of the problem is the delay in getting confirmation. Also the state of the health care system there questionable.
The virus has just begun to hit Mission State...read what it is like there here.

 

[JimO]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

I believe that it could be significant to contrast the numbers in Canada with those in Argentina. Both have similar populations and as of this morning, both had reported 21 deaths. However, the total number of cases reported in Canada is 6,812, while that in Argentina is 1,391.

Is Canada conducting more testing of less serious cases? If not, then the alternatives articulated by Woton might explain the discrepancy.

 

[wotan]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

I believe that it could be significant to contrast the numbers in Canada with those in Argentina. Both have similar populations and as of this morning, both had reported 21 deaths. However, the total number of cases reported in Canada is 6,812, while that in Argentina is 1,391.

Is Canada conducting more testing of less serious cases? If not, then the alternatives articulated by Woton might explain the discrepancy.

That might be true, but the rate at which deaths are being announced in Argentina is much faster than Canada, which has announced 21 deaths since early(?) May. I believe Argentina's habe pretty well all been this month.

 

[theforeigner]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Quote from this newsreport:

The H1N1 virus is spreading rapidly in an area known as the Conurbano, the densely populated working class suburbs and slums that surround Buenos Aires.

Eight people in the region have died from the H1N1 virus. A total of 111 have been hospitalized, with 75 of them on respirators.


http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_sa/2009-06-25/955247966739.html

There is also a video in the link.

Argentina Swamped with H1N1 Patients
2009-6-25 2:3740 E-MAIL THIS


Argentine hospitals are getting reinforcements as the death toll from the H1N1 virus increases and emergency rooms in and around the capital are being swamped.

With 18 confirmed deaths, Argentina is in third place behind Mexico and the United States in the number of fatal cases.

Waiting lines are seven hours in public hospitals and up to four hours in private clinics.

Medical authorities are suspending non-urgent surgeries in many urban hospitals to free up beds for people with the flu.

[Eduardo Lopez, Ricardo Gutierrez Hospital Director]:
"The hospital is trying to provide answers to all of this, obviously this means we need more personnel, more nurses."

The H1N1 virus is spreading rapidly in an area known as the Conurbano, the densely populated working class suburbs and slums that surround Buenos Aires.

Eight people in the region have died from the H1N1 virus. A total of 111 have been hospitalized, with 75 of them on respirators.

[Graciela Bonfigli, Malvinas Argentinas Director]:
"Consultations have doubled in the last few days especially with regard to respiratory problems."

State mobile clinics have been sent to poor neighborhoods to attend to people who might be infected with the virus.

Health Minister Graciela Ocana also recommends that people keep a distance from each other when they line up to vote in mid-term elections on Sunday.

 

[wotan]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

75 of them on respirators.

If that number is true and represents the number currently receiving ventilation, that must represent a pretty significant portion of their number of respirators. I am assuming that is mechanical ventilation and not simply receiving extra oxygen via a canula or mask.

 

[theforeigner]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Her the same info is quoted by regional Health Minister Claudio Zin :

quote:
In hospitals in Buenos Aires province on Wednesday there were 111 people receiving treatment for swine flu, of whom 75 were receiving assisted respiration, according to regional Health Minister Claudio Zin.




http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=337905&CategoryId=14093

Swine Flu Deaths Cause Alarm in Argentina


BUENOS AIRES ? The spread of the AH1N1 flu virus in Argentina, where the illness is blamed for 18 deaths, is causing alarm among the public and problems at hospitals, which on Wednesday led the government to call on the citizenry for calm and advise people to take maximum prevention measures.

The spread of the virus, which has infected at least 1,294 people here according to a government report released on Tuesday, has forced the authorities to set up mobile health posts in Buenos Aires and the surrounding likenamed province.

On Tuesday, the government of Brazil recommended that people over age 60, children younger than 2 and people with a weakened immune system postpone trips to Argentina and Chile, the nations in the region most affected by the virus.

?It?s a health recommendation like the one we made at the proper time so that people avoid traveling to risk zones, like the United States, Canada and Mexico,? said Argentine Health Minister Graciela Oca?a on Wednesday, adding that the Brazilian measure ?does not bother? Buenos Aires.

In remarks to Todo Noticias television, she issued a call to the public to remain calm and to strictly follow the recommended preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus.

All but one of the 18 flu fatalities were residents of the Argentine capital or the province of Buenos Aires, where health authorities suspended non-essential surgeries at public hospitals as a preventive measure.

In hospitals in Buenos Aires province on Wednesday there were 111 people receiving treatment for swine flu, of whom 75 were receiving assisted respiration, according to regional Health Minister Claudio Zin.
?Each year, 10 percent of the population contracts seasonal influenza, (and) if to that we add a similar percentage of people who get treatment for the A flu, it?s to be expected that there will exist an excess hospital demand,? he said.

Due to the lack of available personnel to handle the increase in doctor visits by people suffering flu-like symptoms, Zin said that health authorities were analyzing the possibility of rehiring retired physicians as well as mobilizing medical students approaching graduation. EFE

 

[theforeigner]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

"A total of 111 have been hospitalized, with 75 of them on respirators. "

I?m not very good at math, but I belive that makes the % of people hospitalized for H1N1 on ventilators 83.25%

If I?m wrong please just deleet this post.

 

[alert]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

That percentage is wrong, but the idea is right - the people aren't getting hospitalized until they are ill enough to be on ventilators.

I think all of the factors are at work here: more pre-existing conditions, more co-infections, delay in treatment, missing milder cases, etc. I would be surprised if this were actually a change in the virus itself.

 

[theforeigner]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

That percentage is wrong, but the idea is right - the people aren't getting hospitalized until they are ill enough to be on ventilators.

I think all of the factors are at work here: more pre-existing conditions, more co-infections, delay in treatment, missing milder cases, etc. I would be surprised if this were actually a change in the virus itself.

I hope you are right "Alert".

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

The only Argentina sequence I can find is M1 and it doesn't differ from others in South America.

For South America, there are only 7 HAs, 3 NAs, 7 M1s, and 5 M2s in NCBI database.

Most are almost 100% identical except 2 of the HAs (Chile/8886 and Castro/JXP-that's Chile) have a "T" in 220 (on my line, but it's 206 in other numbers per gsgs). One NA (Chile/9113) has a "V" in 106 & "N" in 248 - that's by the numbering of the software NCBI uses. I don't know if those locations are significant.

.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

That percentage is wrong, but the idea is right - the people aren't getting hospitalized until they are ill enough to be on ventilators.

I think all of the factors are at work here: more pre-existing conditions, more co-infections, delay in treatment, missing milder cases, etc. I would be surprised if this were actually a change in the virus itself.

The numbers being reported are quite different than other countries. Agentina had one likely case several weeks ago. The patient died with swine flu symptoms as well as contact with confirmed cases. However, the government insisted the patient died from hanta virus. Recombinomcs/Rhiza left the case up as a probable, but got MANY requests to pull it down.

Several days ago, the first official case was announced and the number of fatal cases quickly ballooned to 22. Now there are 15 more suspect fatalities, so if there really are almost 40 fatalities in a few days, the rate is significantly higher than reports elsewhere, and is VERY unlikely to be due to pre-existing conditions.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Some of these cases have been healthy individuals, some pregant, others had an underlying disease. Not much has been reported on many of them. I am keeping a summary with links Here

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Source: http://www.notife.com/noticia/artic..._y_ya_hay_cerdos_infectados_con_el_virus.html
From the above article date 6/25

A breakdown of cases reported by province (fallecidos are death):
Buenos Aires 400 casos, 17 fallecidos.
Capital Federal 638 casos, 4 fallecidos.
Misiones 9 casos, 1 fallecido.
?rea Metropolitana (sin especificar) 153 casos.
C?rdoba 16 casos.
Corrientes 5 casos.
Chaco 3 casos.
Chubut 6 casos.
Entre R?os 12 casos.
Formosa 9 casos.
Jujuy 1 caso.
La Pampa 3 casos.
Mendoza 1 caso.
Neuqu?n 11 casos.
R?o Negro 6 casos.
Salta 8 casos.
San Juan 2 casos.
San Luis 5 casos.
Santa Cruz 11 casos.
Santa Fe 34 casos.
Tierra del Fuego 31 casos.
Tucum?n 12 casos.

Las provincias que no reportaron casos son (no cases reported are) Catamarca, La Rioja y Santiago del Estero.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

That percentage is wrong, but the idea is right - the people aren't getting hospitalized until they are ill enough to be on ventilators.

I think all of the factors are at work here: more pre-existing conditions, more co-infections, delay in treatment, missing milder cases, etc. I would be surprised if this were actually a change in the virus itself.

I agree with most of this. Argentina is experiencing a run up to the peak of infections cycle.

 

[Mamabird]

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Re: Health Emergency? 15 more deaths in last few hrs?

Very Disturbing. Do we have any recent isolate reports coming out of Argentina? We seeing a change in the virus?

Unfortunately, most of the isolates in GISAID, and there are many, are HA and NA segments from last year's flu season. One MP related to Swine Flu. This will not tell you much about pathogenicity or anything else for that matter. This available MP is unremarkable compared to the several hundred other Swine Flu MPs.