Re: Estonia: swine flu is coming, people are worried
The vaccine promises already this year
10.11.2009
Madis Filippov
According Minsotsdel in Estonia is not expected high incidence of swine flu. It is believed that the country is ready for a new outbreak of influenza, although there is no vaccine yet. But it can be delivered later this year.
By yesterday's day in Estonia there were 133 sick new flu, of whom one - a real student of the Tallinn School. Our neighbors are worse off: in Latvia, died yesterday, 50-year-old woman, and in Finland swine flu has claimed three lives.
Estonia continues to search for a vaccine, and the Ministry of Social Affairs does not consider this strain of flu more dangerous than all the rest.
"In order to obtain the vaccine, we turned to Germany, Holland and the manufacturers of drugs. All of them are ready to support Estonia ", - said Minister of Social Affairs Hanno Pevkur. According to him this week and early next will continue negotiations with other countries
It said the Vice-Chancellor of the Ministry of Social Affairs on health Ivey Normet, they hope this week to clarify the term of delivery of the vaccine. "If this vaccine is generally required, it is now," - she said. According Normet, the vaccine must necessarily be delivered to Estonia as early as this year. Initially planned to purchase 200 000 doses.
On Saturday, Estonian doctors sent an open letter in which he accused Minsotsdel in delaying the process of acquiring an influenza vaccine. According to the doctors, that the Ministry of pulls with the order of the vaccine, which provides effective protection, said anything about his incompetence, or that he does not care about the health of the people.
"We are ready"
Normet noted that the state had very little time to prepare, because the vaccine against this strain in Europe became available only at the end of September. For several years, drug manufacturers offered a preliminary agreement, but then would have to pay in advance, so to speak, for the air.
"If Estonia's disease will occur particularly difficult, we are ready for that, - said Normet. - Patients have a place to turn, doctors are required to treat the funds, and we continue to preventive work, giving advice on how to behave. "
According to the Vice-Chancellor, it is a normal job, which the Ministry is engaged in many years. "In regard to drugs, especially anything to do. As in hospitals and pharmacies have flu drugs, so they are against swine flu. There is only increasing the state stockpile of antiviral drugs ", - she said.
According Normet, antivirus needed in the most severe cases. She said that Estonia now has reserves sufficient to treat 10 000 people.
If Finland would be postponed planned surgery, to have enough beds for patients in the intensive care unit, but in Estonia, according to Vice-Chancellor, such problems should arise.
"When you see thousands of patients requiring intensive care, then and move from a planned reorganization of work - clarified Normet. - We are not the first year do so during the exercises.
There is no single focus
According to her, in Estonia each year suffer from influenza tens of thousands of people, and the number of deaths due to complications of influenza is 30-60 cases per year. "We expect that the incidence would be consistent with the annual level of viral diseases. Probably, these tens of thousands of cases this winter are mostly cases of swine flu ", - thinks the vice-chancellor.
According Normet, there is no reason to fear the threats articulated by the head of infectious Service Clinic of Tartu University Matti Maimets, who warned that the sick can be up to 40 percent of the population, since neither recognized by international organizations and the experience gained in the southern hemisphere, do not confirm such a scenario.
Vice-Chancellor added that Estonia was not a single focus of disease, in most cases, the patient became infected in another state or from contact with had come from abroad.
"World experience shows that 90 percent of the people tolerate the flu, they say, on his feet, - tell a lot Normet. - And with respect to the first cases, the infected were taken to the hospital to avoid the spread of influenza in the country. "
Preventing disease
? Coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief disposable. Dispose of used handkerchiefs in the dustbin. Do not use the same handkerchief several times.
? If no handkerchief, cough or sneeze, closing the mouth of the upper side of the sleeve. If you sneeze, cover of hand, you do not sneeze in his hand, and shielding the back of his hand.
? Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or disinfect them an alcohol solution, be sure to do so after you've sneezed or coughed.
? Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth, if you have not washed his hands.
? Do not approach other people, if you cough or sneeze, do not come to those who have coughs or sneezes.
? Avoid concentrations of people and shaking hands, as well as close contacts (less than 1 meter). If possible, avoid travel on public transport or do not do them during peak hours.
? Educate on prevention of their children and watch them so that they comply with them.
? In the case of suspected illnes contact your family doctor, who will send the patient to the infectious diseases hospital, or possibly he will test.
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