Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/27/content_12117710.htm
A/H1N1 flu spreads to nearly one third Bangladesh districts
www.chinaview.cn 2009-09-27 15:55:51
By Naim-Ul-Karim
DHAKA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- A/H1N1 pandemic flu has so far spread to nearly one third districts of Bangladesh since the South Asian country recorded the first virus-infected patient on June 18, a senior health ministry official said Sunday.
Head of the country's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) under the Health Ministry Mahmudur Rahman told reporters at a press conference here on Sunday, "The disease has so far spread to 21 out of 64 districts of the country."
He said the IEDCR confirmed 232 new A/H1N1 flu cases in the past two weeks, bringing the total number of the new flu to 604. "None of the newly detected patients are in severe condition," said Rahman at the IEDCR's regular weekly press briefing.
The number of flu infected people was 372 in Bangladesh about two weeks back, he said, adding that the A/H1N1 virus claimed lives of three people in the country but no new death occurred in the last 14 days.
The Bangladeshi government had earlier asked hospitals to treat anyone who displays symptoms of A/H1N1 flu rather than waste time to have test report, hours after the virus claimed its first victim in the country on Aug. 31.
A 35-year old female flu positive patient died in Dhaka which was first fatality the country has had since recording its first A/H1N1 case on June 18.
Rahman, however, said there is nothing to be worried despite the disease has spread to 21 districts as transmission of the virus appears to have slided in the country in the recent days.
Bangladesh's Health Ministry has already stressed the need for better dissemination of information about flu to ensure people in both urban and rural areas get proper treatment and take simple measures to curb the spread of the virus.
The country's Health minister AFM Ruhul Huq has voiced concern about the virus but urged people not to panic saying the government was well-prepared to tackle the situation.
He has called upon people to maintain highest safety measures instead of being panicked about the spread of A/H1N1 flu and asked the news media to apply "rational mind" and not use language that might frighten people.
Head of IEDCR said the government has already announced that an individual having prescription from a registered medical practitioner can buy the anti-viral drugs.
The Health Ministry at a meeting earlier this month with the country's drug manufacturers has reduced the price of anti-viral Oseltamivir by 30 taka to 150 taka (2.14 U.S. dollars) per pill.
A/H1N1 flu spreads to nearly one third Bangladesh districts
www.chinaview.cn 2009-09-27 15:55:51
By Naim-Ul-Karim
DHAKA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- A/H1N1 pandemic flu has so far spread to nearly one third districts of Bangladesh since the South Asian country recorded the first virus-infected patient on June 18, a senior health ministry official said Sunday.
Head of the country's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) under the Health Ministry Mahmudur Rahman told reporters at a press conference here on Sunday, "The disease has so far spread to 21 out of 64 districts of the country."
He said the IEDCR confirmed 232 new A/H1N1 flu cases in the past two weeks, bringing the total number of the new flu to 604. "None of the newly detected patients are in severe condition," said Rahman at the IEDCR's regular weekly press briefing.
The number of flu infected people was 372 in Bangladesh about two weeks back, he said, adding that the A/H1N1 virus claimed lives of three people in the country but no new death occurred in the last 14 days.
The Bangladeshi government had earlier asked hospitals to treat anyone who displays symptoms of A/H1N1 flu rather than waste time to have test report, hours after the virus claimed its first victim in the country on Aug. 31.
A 35-year old female flu positive patient died in Dhaka which was first fatality the country has had since recording its first A/H1N1 case on June 18.
Rahman, however, said there is nothing to be worried despite the disease has spread to 21 districts as transmission of the virus appears to have slided in the country in the recent days.
Bangladesh's Health Ministry has already stressed the need for better dissemination of information about flu to ensure people in both urban and rural areas get proper treatment and take simple measures to curb the spread of the virus.
The country's Health minister AFM Ruhul Huq has voiced concern about the virus but urged people not to panic saying the government was well-prepared to tackle the situation.
He has called upon people to maintain highest safety measures instead of being panicked about the spread of A/H1N1 flu and asked the news media to apply "rational mind" and not use language that might frighten people.
Head of IEDCR said the government has already announced that an individual having prescription from a registered medical practitioner can buy the anti-viral drugs.
The Health Ministry at a meeting earlier this month with the country's drug manufacturers has reduced the price of anti-viral Oseltamivir by 30 taka to 150 taka (2.14 U.S. dollars) per pill.