Across Colombia the number of deaths caused by the AH1N1 virus has risen to 82 and the number of infections to 1,525, the Social Welfare Minister announced Tuesday.
In a statement reported by Caracol Radio, the minister added that in the last week alone, 17 more people have died, infected with the virus. He strongly urged that the Colombian population “address the recommendations” set out by his department and by regional health offices to combat the virus.
The first case of ‘influenza A’ or swine flu in Colombia was reported on May 3 of this year in a city in the center of the country and the first fatality was that of a 23 year old youth which occured on June 4 in the country’s capital, Bogota.
Among those affected by the virus were the Colombian President Alvaro Uribe himself,as well as the director of Civil Aviation, Fernando Sanclemente and the boss of presidential security, General Flavio Buitrago.
All however, recovered successfully to return to their respective offices.