Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.elmanana.com.mx/notas.asp?id=138095
Google translation:
Growing virus maternal deaths
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
They believe that it is not necessary or feasible to vaccinate the entire population, but only those groups of special risk of developing serious illness or death. Photo: AFP
The proportion of maternal deaths caused by acute respiratory diseases, increased from 2.6 to 10% between 2008 and this year
MEXICO CITY .- The proportion of maternal deaths caused by acute respiratory diseases, increased from 2.6 to 10% between 2008 and this year, reported yesterday Gatell Hugo Lopez, associate director of epidemiology at the Health Ministry.
During his participation in the course "Early diagnosis, clinical management and precautions in the handling of influenza A H1N1", said the increase may be related to the greater attention paid to these diseases by the epidemic that is recorded this year in the country.
However, he stressed, there is evidence that this is one of risk sectors.
"It is important to note that in the group of pregnant women found a fourfold increase in deaths associated with influenza or pneumonia, which leads us to think that this is a particular risk group," he said.
For this, he said, pregnant women are a priority group in the vaccination strategy against influenza A H1N1.
Gatell Lopez is not considered necessary or feasible to vaccinate the entire population, but only those groups, like pregnant women, are of particular risk of developing serious illness or death.
He explained that although the largest number of cases is in the middle ages, the lethality of the virus is higher in the extreme ages, ie, in infants and older adults, who are therefore priority groups for vaccination.
"The bulk of cases occur in middle age, but the impact of gravity represented by hospitalizations and deaths are not prevalent in middle age," he said.
"(Gravity) predominates, like seasonal influenza, in the extremes of life and therefore, are those which may be largely benefited from vaccination," he said.
Other groups particularly vulnerable to influenza rather seriously, he said, are patients with conditions such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and HIV / AIDS.
The specialist said he still does not know the effectiveness of the vaccine, but said that some studies estimate 50%.
"It is very important to note that the social expectation for restraint, legitimate, that the vaccine could be the solution," he said.
"The vaccine is not the solution, is a complementary element in a strategy must be comprehensive," he said.
He said it is impossible to stop or eliminate transmission of this virus, so efforts should focus on slowing the transmission and above all in preventing severe disease.
"The most important thing we do is that the mild case becomes a serious case and the case becomes dead serious, with timely diagnosis and treatment standard.
It is the greatest contribution we can make right now, "he said.
(Silvia Gardu?o / Agencia Reforma)
Google translation:
Growing virus maternal deaths
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
They believe that it is not necessary or feasible to vaccinate the entire population, but only those groups of special risk of developing serious illness or death. Photo: AFP
The proportion of maternal deaths caused by acute respiratory diseases, increased from 2.6 to 10% between 2008 and this year
MEXICO CITY .- The proportion of maternal deaths caused by acute respiratory diseases, increased from 2.6 to 10% between 2008 and this year, reported yesterday Gatell Hugo Lopez, associate director of epidemiology at the Health Ministry.
During his participation in the course "Early diagnosis, clinical management and precautions in the handling of influenza A H1N1", said the increase may be related to the greater attention paid to these diseases by the epidemic that is recorded this year in the country.
However, he stressed, there is evidence that this is one of risk sectors.
"It is important to note that in the group of pregnant women found a fourfold increase in deaths associated with influenza or pneumonia, which leads us to think that this is a particular risk group," he said.
For this, he said, pregnant women are a priority group in the vaccination strategy against influenza A H1N1.
Gatell Lopez is not considered necessary or feasible to vaccinate the entire population, but only those groups, like pregnant women, are of particular risk of developing serious illness or death.
He explained that although the largest number of cases is in the middle ages, the lethality of the virus is higher in the extreme ages, ie, in infants and older adults, who are therefore priority groups for vaccination.
"The bulk of cases occur in middle age, but the impact of gravity represented by hospitalizations and deaths are not prevalent in middle age," he said.
"(Gravity) predominates, like seasonal influenza, in the extremes of life and therefore, are those which may be largely benefited from vaccination," he said.
Other groups particularly vulnerable to influenza rather seriously, he said, are patients with conditions such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and HIV / AIDS.
The specialist said he still does not know the effectiveness of the vaccine, but said that some studies estimate 50%.
"It is very important to note that the social expectation for restraint, legitimate, that the vaccine could be the solution," he said.
"The vaccine is not the solution, is a complementary element in a strategy must be comprehensive," he said.
He said it is impossible to stop or eliminate transmission of this virus, so efforts should focus on slowing the transmission and above all in preventing severe disease.
"The most important thing we do is that the mild case becomes a serious case and the case becomes dead serious, with timely diagnosis and treatment standard.
It is the greatest contribution we can make right now, "he said.
(Silvia Gardu?o / Agencia Reforma)