Russia has first human flu death of this season

[Susie]

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=5804814&PageNum=0

Russia has first human flu death of this season

ST. PETERSBURG, April 4 (Itar-Tass) -- The first human flu death of this season in Russia has been registered in Chelyabinsk, a source at the National Flu Center in St. Petersburg told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

An 18-year-old Chelyabinsk resident was taken to hospital with a severe form of human flu exacerbated with pneumonia. Three days later the patient with immune deficiency died. ?Laboratory tests did not confirm H5N1 bird flu virus in his blood,? the source said.

According to the center, a flu epidemic in Russia will linger until the end of this month.

The National Flu Center of the World Health Organization is monitoring cold and flu situation in 46 cities of Russia all the year round and exchanges virus samples and screening results with the WHO Geneva headquarters.

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Sorry, I didn't realise at first this meant normal flu.

 

[KC]

Re: Russia has first human flu death of this season

Susie, I wouldn't rule out H5N1 based solely on blood samples that were taken locally. Sampling of lung tissue should be performed and sent off to an approved WHO testing facility as it appears they are doing.

Rapid onset flu like symptoms with associated pneumonia in an 18 year old puts up a red flag for me.

More than likely it is just seasonal flu..... but definately something to keep an eye on.

Thanks for posting the story.