Colombia’s Health Minister Diego Palacio joined the call of the World Health organization (WHO) and
warned that the AH1N1 virus, or swine flu, in Colombia has become unstoppable.
Worldwide, 90,000 people were confirmed to have the flu and 429 patients died, the most recent number of the WHO show. Inside Colombia 166 people were confirmed to carry the virus and seven patients died.
The Minister called on health workers to be extra alert and not underestimate patients who show some of the basic symptoms of the disease like headache, constant flu or high fever.
At this moment, the virus “is unstoppable in Colombia and the world … To all those working in health, doctors, nurses, remember that when a respitory infection that evolves fast it is important to suspect the presence of the virus or at least look for the presence of the virus,” the Minister said Monday.
According to newspaper El Espectador, the national government is considering closing schools to prevent an increasingly rapid spreading of the virus.
Authorities of the capital Bogota have quarantined a group of 64 displaced indigenous in a building in the center of the city after the death of a 48-day old baby in the group and the confirmation that six other children were infected.
According to a Bogota council member, the displaced population in the city is at high risk because of malnutrition and a low immune system. Five of the seven fatalities occurred in the capital.
A World Health Organisation official said Monday a swine flu vaccine should be
available as early as September and all countries would need to be able
to protect themselves.