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Influenza Claims 18 in Guatemala
Guatemala, Mar 24 (Prensa Latina) Guatemalan health officials confirmed the death of 18 people to date from an influenza virus at Guatemala City´s Roosevelt Hospital, and visits there were restricted.
Influenza is a viral infection that causes a great number of deaths in epidemic conditions. It is characterized by high fever, trembling, muscle pain, headaches, and, if the lungs are affected, the complications can result in death.
Since March 1st 45 cases were confirmed in this hospital, one of them in pediatrics, which was isolated to avoid contagion.
The virus attacked AIDS patients at first, but recently has spread, and severe control measures were dictated, among them to allow access only to intermediate care rooms, with the obligation of using special masks.
Operations in the hospital were postponed and only urgent surgical services are maintained.
Carlos Mejia, head of the Guatemalan Public Health Ministry's Infection Service, recognized that anti-viral medications to stop the disease in adults have not been received in the country.
He said that 200 AIDS patients and 1,750 medical personnel were vaccinated thanks to donations received in recent days.
Ludwig Ovalle, director of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in this capital, said that 13 patients were preventively isolated in the center, but none has shown symptoms of the disease yet.
Influenza Claims 18 in Guatemala
Guatemala, Mar 24 (Prensa Latina) Guatemalan health officials confirmed the death of 18 people to date from an influenza virus at Guatemala City´s Roosevelt Hospital, and visits there were restricted.
Influenza is a viral infection that causes a great number of deaths in epidemic conditions. It is characterized by high fever, trembling, muscle pain, headaches, and, if the lungs are affected, the complications can result in death.
Since March 1st 45 cases were confirmed in this hospital, one of them in pediatrics, which was isolated to avoid contagion.
The virus attacked AIDS patients at first, but recently has spread, and severe control measures were dictated, among them to allow access only to intermediate care rooms, with the obligation of using special masks.
Operations in the hospital were postponed and only urgent surgical services are maintained.
Carlos Mejia, head of the Guatemalan Public Health Ministry's Infection Service, recognized that anti-viral medications to stop the disease in adults have not been received in the country.
He said that 200 AIDS patients and 1,750 medical personnel were vaccinated thanks to donations received in recent days.
Ludwig Ovalle, director of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in this capital, said that 13 patients were preventively isolated in the center, but none has shown symptoms of the disease yet.