Government's balance sheet shows 557 deaths swine flu in Brazil, 58 were pregnant

26/08/2009 - 19h02
Balance partial released on Wednesday by the Ministry of Health indicates 557 deaths in Brazil due to the swine flu - influenza A (H1N1) - until the last 22 days. The victims included 58 women.
According to data from the federal government since April 25 were 5206 confirmed cases of the disease. The evaluation indicates a reduction in the absolute number of cases between 16 and 22 of this month, as had been observed in the previous week.

The ministry, however, says it is not possible to conclude that the trend is permanent, "as there are cases in laboratory research or who have information about the diagnostic conclusions entered by the state and municipal health information system."

Deaths

Sao Paulo is still the state with the largest number of deaths: 223, according to the ministry. Next are Paraná (151), Rio Grande do Sul (98), Rio de Janeiro (55), Santa Catarina (11), Minas (8), Distrito Federal (2), Brazil (2), Bahia (2), Mato Grosso do Sul (1), Pernambuco (1), Pernambuco (1), Para (1) and Rio Grande do Norte (1).

Data from the Ministry of Health are partial. Updated data from state departments of Health point to a greater number of deaths in some locations, such as Santa Catarina, Parana and Minas Gerais. The Departments of Amazonas and Acre, for example, also confirmed deaths.

In absolute numbers, Brazil is the largest number of deaths. However, in comparison to the 15 countries with the highest number of deaths, the country has the seventh fatality rate - which represents the percentage of deaths to the population of each country. Most of the countries with the highest mortality rates are in the southern hemisphere, where the pandemic currently has greater impact because of the winter.

Higher mortality rates (per 100 thousand inhabitants)
Pregnant

In total, 1,980 women of childbearing age - 15 to 49 years - had tested positive for the new virus, shows the balance.

Among them, 480 were women and 58 died. Pregnancy is identified as a risk factor for the disease.

Symptoms

The swine flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza A virus, called H1N1. It is transmitted from person to person and has symptoms similar to flu, with fever over 38 º C, cough, severe headache, muscle aches and joint pain, eye irritation and nasal flow.

To diagnose the infection, a respiratory specimen must be collected in four or five first days of illness, when the infected person spreads the virus, and examined in the laboratory.

The flu Tamiflu and Relenza, are already used against avian influenza, are effective against the H1N1 strain, according to laboratory tests, and seem to have given a practical result, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control United States).