Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
From a Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul newspaper
Source: http://zerohora.clicrbs.com.br/zero...&template=3898.dwt&edition=12838§ion=1015
Google translation:
August 03, 2009 | No 16051AlertaVoltar for today's edition
Fear of the epidemic
Truths and myths about the flu
In recent weeks, the number of suspected cases of influenza A and the increase in the number of deaths resulting from the virus - which now total 25 in the state - brought to seize gauchos and an avalanche of information disagreements. To try to contain the wave of speculation, the State Department of Health clarifies controversial points of the epidemic and fight exaggerated reactions.
While some people avoid leaving the streets, others have doubts about whether to go to a hospital, join a crowded bus or engages in leisure activities like going to a cinema. The damage caused by the disease in the popular imagination also causes the appearance of outbreaks of rumors and suspicions that authorities are hiding the health records of deaths caused by the new flu.
The Rio Grande do Sul faces, in fact, the epidemic caused by a virus until a few months ago unknown, but there is no reason for hysteria, and the second medical certificate authorities.
- People need to know that is a new virus that can lead to death, but in more than 99% of cases, the recovery is smooth. People always have died from flu, but does not speak - the doctor argues Breno Riegel Santos, head of the department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Concei??o.
Authorities struggle to stop the boat.
- From the beginning, we are guiding the people about what is myth and what is true. Unfortunately, the myths abound - regrets the director of the State Center of Health Surveillance, Francisco Peace
The number of infected is higher than the estimated 20 thousand by the State Department of Health?
There is evidence that the number is higher in the state. Following guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), the country failed to make the examination of all suspected cases of influenza. The growth of the epidemic over the capacity of laboratories in various parts of the world, governments and the WHO recommended to test only the serious cases in order to save resources. Therefore, governments only estimate the number of contamination, following international standards.
The number of deaths with evidence of influenza A is greater than the 25 victims announced in RS?
No. The State Center of Health Surveillance records and other health agencies around the world, the number of deaths and outlines the profile of each to monitor the epidemic and to identify possible outbreaks located or preferred victims. Hide cases of death, although it could reassure the public, would prevent actions of prevention and would be countered by a measure of area medical specialists and managers of public health.
Municipalities would be leaving the tour record for deaths as influenza A does not suffer losses?
No. According to the State Department of Health, it would be impossible because the state government takes note of the outcome of the examinations before the municipalities. The biological material is suspected of patients referred by hospitals to the State Department of Health, which passes to the laboratories that make the analysis of the virus. After that, the result is forwarded to the state government, which informed the council.
Hospitals are avoiding the use of masks to avoid creating panic in the population?
Yes The recommendation of the State Department of Health is that hospitals avoid the abusive use of masks in order not to arouse fear among the visitors too. The director of the Centro Estadual de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de, Francisco Paz, the guidance states that passed the establishments is that the masks are used only by professionals who come into direct contact with patients suspected of influenza A or by the patients with symptoms of the disease. The others are instructed not to use the mask.
In a small town of Interior, a person under treatment with Tamiflu died. Even so, the council does not appear in the list of deaths by influenza A. What does this mean?
The most likely explanation is that it was taking Tamiflu without even having the disease confirmed. The orientation of the Ministry of Health is that patients in serious condition need not await the outcome of the examination to be medicated. What may have happened is that even having taken the medicine, the examination of the mechanism was negative. Another possibility is that as a confirmation of the test takes a few days, the council will still be part of the list.
The mother of a student complains that the school your child decided to resume classes today, and the family is afraid. This will increase the chance of contagion?
The issue is controversial. Some epidemiologists believe that the postponement is harmless, since there are other sources of contagion, or capable only of slowing the spread of the epidemic. For others, the postponement of lessons can be a way to prevent the agglomeration of students at the height of winter - when the risk is greater. The State Center of Supervision on Health recommends that in cases of suspected influenza A, only the classes with any student who shows symptoms into recess.
Disclosure of cases by the media creates panic?
Experts in health, such as the USP infectologist Marcos Boulos, argue that the social impact of this epidemic is far greater in relation to other because it is accompanied by a case, and virtually in real time by the media. Although the weight of media coverage can contribute indirectly to increased popular fear, is considered crucial for the prevention and control of the epidemic when it comes together with guidelines on how to act before the disease.
Hospitals are asking for doctors and nurses did not comment on the cases of influenza. That is correct?
There is no official order preventing health professionals to speak, but the State Department of Health believes that limiting the manifestations of new suspected cases of influenza is a positive step. The director of the Centro Estadual de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de, Francisco Paz, believes that a large number of doctors or nurses giving information could lead to misunderstandings or data without official confirmation, which could increase the fear among the population.
marcelo.gonzatto @ zerohora.com.br
mauro.graeff @ zerohora.com.br
MARCELO GONZATTO AND MAURO GRAEFF J?NIOR
Source: http://zerohora.clicrbs.com.br/zero...&template=3898.dwt&edition=12838§ion=1015
Google translation:
August 03, 2009 | No 16051AlertaVoltar for today's edition
Fear of the epidemic
Truths and myths about the flu
In recent weeks, the number of suspected cases of influenza A and the increase in the number of deaths resulting from the virus - which now total 25 in the state - brought to seize gauchos and an avalanche of information disagreements. To try to contain the wave of speculation, the State Department of Health clarifies controversial points of the epidemic and fight exaggerated reactions.
While some people avoid leaving the streets, others have doubts about whether to go to a hospital, join a crowded bus or engages in leisure activities like going to a cinema. The damage caused by the disease in the popular imagination also causes the appearance of outbreaks of rumors and suspicions that authorities are hiding the health records of deaths caused by the new flu.
The Rio Grande do Sul faces, in fact, the epidemic caused by a virus until a few months ago unknown, but there is no reason for hysteria, and the second medical certificate authorities.
- People need to know that is a new virus that can lead to death, but in more than 99% of cases, the recovery is smooth. People always have died from flu, but does not speak - the doctor argues Breno Riegel Santos, head of the department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Concei??o.
Authorities struggle to stop the boat.
- From the beginning, we are guiding the people about what is myth and what is true. Unfortunately, the myths abound - regrets the director of the State Center of Health Surveillance, Francisco Peace
The number of infected is higher than the estimated 20 thousand by the State Department of Health?
There is evidence that the number is higher in the state. Following guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), the country failed to make the examination of all suspected cases of influenza. The growth of the epidemic over the capacity of laboratories in various parts of the world, governments and the WHO recommended to test only the serious cases in order to save resources. Therefore, governments only estimate the number of contamination, following international standards.
The number of deaths with evidence of influenza A is greater than the 25 victims announced in RS?
No. The State Center of Health Surveillance records and other health agencies around the world, the number of deaths and outlines the profile of each to monitor the epidemic and to identify possible outbreaks located or preferred victims. Hide cases of death, although it could reassure the public, would prevent actions of prevention and would be countered by a measure of area medical specialists and managers of public health.
Municipalities would be leaving the tour record for deaths as influenza A does not suffer losses?
No. According to the State Department of Health, it would be impossible because the state government takes note of the outcome of the examinations before the municipalities. The biological material is suspected of patients referred by hospitals to the State Department of Health, which passes to the laboratories that make the analysis of the virus. After that, the result is forwarded to the state government, which informed the council.
Hospitals are avoiding the use of masks to avoid creating panic in the population?
Yes The recommendation of the State Department of Health is that hospitals avoid the abusive use of masks in order not to arouse fear among the visitors too. The director of the Centro Estadual de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de, Francisco Paz, the guidance states that passed the establishments is that the masks are used only by professionals who come into direct contact with patients suspected of influenza A or by the patients with symptoms of the disease. The others are instructed not to use the mask.
In a small town of Interior, a person under treatment with Tamiflu died. Even so, the council does not appear in the list of deaths by influenza A. What does this mean?
The most likely explanation is that it was taking Tamiflu without even having the disease confirmed. The orientation of the Ministry of Health is that patients in serious condition need not await the outcome of the examination to be medicated. What may have happened is that even having taken the medicine, the examination of the mechanism was negative. Another possibility is that as a confirmation of the test takes a few days, the council will still be part of the list.
The mother of a student complains that the school your child decided to resume classes today, and the family is afraid. This will increase the chance of contagion?
The issue is controversial. Some epidemiologists believe that the postponement is harmless, since there are other sources of contagion, or capable only of slowing the spread of the epidemic. For others, the postponement of lessons can be a way to prevent the agglomeration of students at the height of winter - when the risk is greater. The State Center of Supervision on Health recommends that in cases of suspected influenza A, only the classes with any student who shows symptoms into recess.
Disclosure of cases by the media creates panic?
Experts in health, such as the USP infectologist Marcos Boulos, argue that the social impact of this epidemic is far greater in relation to other because it is accompanied by a case, and virtually in real time by the media. Although the weight of media coverage can contribute indirectly to increased popular fear, is considered crucial for the prevention and control of the epidemic when it comes together with guidelines on how to act before the disease.
Hospitals are asking for doctors and nurses did not comment on the cases of influenza. That is correct?
There is no official order preventing health professionals to speak, but the State Department of Health believes that limiting the manifestations of new suspected cases of influenza is a positive step. The director of the Centro Estadual de Vigil?ncia em Sa?de, Francisco Paz, believes that a large number of doctors or nurses giving information could lead to misunderstandings or data without official confirmation, which could increase the fear among the population.
marcelo.gonzatto @ zerohora.com.br
mauro.graeff @ zerohora.com.br
MARCELO GONZATTO AND MAURO GRAEFF J?NIOR