Bogota's health authority is on alert for the possible spread of the H5N1 virus, a flu even more virulent than the AH1N1 virus, which cost the lives of over 200 Colombians in 2009.
Health Secretary Hector Zambrano said the probability is high that cases of the H5N1 virus, also known as "avian flu," will arrive in the Colombian capital city, due to the large number of foreigners who visit Bogota over summer vacation.
Zambrano advised the population to wash their hands regularly and see a doctor immediately if they have symptoms such as headaches, sore throat, cough, a fever and watering eyes.
Public hospitals are on alert for a potential outbreak of the flu.
According to Zambrano, the rainy season has increased the incidence of respitory illness in teh Andean nation.
In Colombia 208 people have died of the AH1N1 virus, or swine flu, since it first appeared in May 2009 and 142,560 Colombians have been infected by the illness.
Ironorehopper
said:
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... This is a strange piece of news: since the H5N1 avian influenza virus recent isolated seem to not easily transmit human-to-human even in endemic country and regions (China, Egypt, Vietnam, Indonesia for example), how the virus could enter into Colombia? Are there some rumors about an increasing number of severe pneumonia cases or other unexplained fatal illness in the country? It is quite disappointing to read a piece of news like this without details about the reason behind the alert or alarm sounded without an international scenario suggesting that. I am a member of public forum FluTrackers.com and all members are watching carefully Colombian development on this issue. I would appreciate a response. |
Dr David Hill
said:
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... The USA showed last year that vaccines will never stop hundreds of millions dying from an eventually human killer stain of swine/bird flu. It took 13 months (March 2009 till April 2010) officially for less than 25% of the population to receive vaccines. The only real solution is to address the mass killer at its source and never let it happen in the first place - http://avian-influenza.cirad.f...tridge.pdf Dr. David Hill World Innovation Foundation Charity Bern, Switzerland |
