Argentina: 53% of the 337 people killed by this virus was not a risk factor or disease basis

Half of those killed by the influenza A patients were not at risk or have other disease-based

05-08-2009
According to a report issued by the Ministry of Health of the Nation, 53% of the 337 people killed by this virus was not a risk factor or disease basis. Furthermore, it was concluded that the age group most affected by the deaths, is composed of adults 50 to 59 years.

The Ministry of Health issued a report on influenza A.
47 per cent of the 337 people killed by influenza A in the country had any risk factor or disease and, while the age group most affected by the deaths, is composed of adults 50 to 59 years.This is indicated by a report allowed the Ministry of Health of the Nation.

The statistical survey of cases of influenza A show that the deceased persons in the country, does not differ by sex. In addition, it clarifies that the most important risk factors for both men and women are obese (18 percent), heart disease (8 percent) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (7 percent).

A total of 82 deceased women with risk factors, pregnancy and puerperium accounted for 19.5 percent. At week 29 of the epidemic (19 to July 25) influenza A accounted for 93.8 percent of all respiratory viruses circulating in over 5 years.

In children 1 to 4 years this proportion drops to 22 percent, while raising the proportion of respiratory syncytial virus, accounting for 70.6 percent. According to the ministry, there were 6384 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (IRAG), which required hospitalization.

The age groups most affected with this disease were younger than 5 years and 15 to 24. Confirmation of the cases were performed in 18 laboratories, provincial, public and private.

These laboratories are located in City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Province (La Plata, Malvinas Argentinas, Bahía Blanca, February 3, General Pueyrredón) Santa Fe (Rosario, Venado Tuerto), Cordoba and Mendoza.

The health portfolio recalled, too, according to new recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted the monitoring of influenza A on 4 indicators: trend, intensity, geographic dispersion and impact on health care .

In that sense, he argued that Argentina is in the 30 weeks of the epidemic of influenza A (July 26 to August 1) with a wide geographical dispersion, ie the disease is present in all cases the country's provinces.

He also said that there is a tendency of decreasing the activity of respiratory illness and stated that there is high intensity of activity of TSI (Influenza Type Disease).

"In other words, there is still a higher proportion of population affected as expected for this time of year," the party. The health portfolio stressed that the disease has a moderate impact on health services and that "the health system is capable of absorbing the demand generated by the epidemic.
hat-tip Shiloh