Re: Mexico's health secretary says swine flu cases could rise to 1 million in winter
http://www.exonline.com.mx/diario/n...r_a_un_millon_de_enfermos_de_influenza/706475
29-August-2009
Expected to reach one million influenza patients
From the wording with information from agencies
Health Secretary does not preclude the suspension of classes in areas affected by virusLa Health Secretariat (SSA) predicted that cases of influenza A H1N1 could add a million in the winter and therefore a national plan refines and complementary care.
On measures to be adopted by health authorities, Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova, said that reinforce the training program for medical personnel, in order that they can cope better prepared contingency.
"It is very likely that we have a million cases or more,''said the federal official during a tour of the southeast.
Since late April when it announced a new epidemic caused by a virus have been reported sick from 21 thousand 264 influenza A H1N1, of which 184 died.
"We are preparing with all states for which it will be a major challenge coming in the winter time,''said Cordova.
He explained that the suspension of activities during the winter months will be focused and depend on the number of cases in each locality.
If necessary, he added, this will result in closure of some schools or few rooms.
It is recalled that in late April and early May this year, the federal government ordered the suspension of classes and activities in restaurants, theaters and other public places significant risk of transmission of influenza A H1N1, the concentration of people.
Mexico plans to acquire 30 million vaccines against the virus and looks to China to acquire additional doses, depending on the results of tests performed that nation.
The health minister says Mexico has secured the purchase of 20 million vaccines to an international laboratory and negotiates an extra batch of ten million doses.
The vaccines will be applied to populations at risk such as health workers, senior citizens, children aged between six and 24 months, pregnant women and people with morbid obesity-hundred percent overweight, diabetes and human immunodeficiency virus or cancer.
Jose Angel Cordova said the federal government has estimated that about 23.9 million people would be within these high-risk groups.
Regional plan for pandemic released
The Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI) approved the creation of a shared health monitoring system, proposed by the head of the Federal District, Marcelo Ebrard.
During the meeting of mayors held in San Jos?, capital of Costa Rica, which was chaired by the governor of Mexico City, in September decided that the observatory will be made Iberoamerican health at the next meeting that is scheduled UCCI in Mexico City.
This agency's mission is to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks with pandemic potential, such as influenza A H1N1, dengue, cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, and chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
At the meeting, Ebrard also emphasized the need for scientific research and technological development. He felt that these items have been neglected, resulting lag in the countries of the region, compared to others in Asia, and making them dependent on various areas, including health.
"If we keep thinking that someone will make vaccines and not worth anyone compete with that, then all life that we depend on someone or someone else," he said.
Health Secretary does not preclude the suspension of classes in areas affected by virusLa Health Secretariat (SSA) predicted that cases of influenza A H1N1 could add a million in the winter and therefore a national plan refines and complementary care.
On measures to be adopted by health authorities, Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova, said that reinforce the training program for medical personnel, in order that they can cope better prepared contingency.
"It is very likely that we have a million cases or more,''said the federal official during a tour of the southeast.
Since late April when it announced a new epidemic caused by a virus have been reported sick from 21 thousand 264 influenza A H1N1, of which 184 died.
"We are preparing with all states for which it will be a major challenge coming in the winter time,''said Cordova.
He explained that the suspension of activities during the winter months will be focused and depend on the number of cases in each locality.
If necessary, he added, this will result in closure of some schools or few rooms.
It is recalled that in late April and early May this year, the federal government ordered the suspension of classes and activities in restaurants, theaters and other public places significant risk of transmission of influenza A H1N1, the concentration of people.
Mexico plans to acquire 30 million vaccines against the virus and looks to China to acquire additional doses, depending on the results of tests performed that nation.
The health minister says Mexico has secured the purchase of 20 million vaccines to an international laboratory and negotiates an extra batch of ten million doses.
The vaccines will be applied to populations at risk such as health workers, senior citizens, children aged between six and 24 months,
pregnant women and people with morbid obesity-hundred percent overweight, diabetes and human immunodeficiency virus or cancer.
Jose Angel Cordova said the federal government has estimated that about 23.9 million people would be within these high-risk groups.
Regional plan for pandemic released
The Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI) approved the creation of a shared health monitoring system, proposed by the head of the Federal District, Marcelo Ebrard.
During the meeting of mayors held in San Jos?, capital of Costa Rica, which was chaired by the governor of Mexico City, in September decided that the observatory will be made Iberoamerican health at the next meeting that is scheduled UCCI in Mexico City.
This agency's mission is to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks with pandemic potential, such as influenza A H1N1, dengue, cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, and chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
At the meeting, Ebrard also emphasized the need for scientific research and technological development. He felt that these items have been neglected, resulting lag in the countries of the region, compared to others in Asia, and making them dependent on various areas, including health.
"If we keep thinking that someone will make vaccines and not worth anyone compete with that, then all life that we depend on someone or someone else," he said.
