Maldives detects more H1N1 cases

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

Article Tools

Maldives has detected more cases of H1N1 influenza virus last week and Health authorities have introduced stringent preventive measures across the island country. Last week a 65 year old man from Inguraidoo island of Raa Atoll died of the virus while 4 contacts of the man were also detected for H1N1 virus in the same island. These four cases included a one and half year old infant and 4 year old boy. But these four patients have been fully recovered after receiving treatment and the island has not found any more cases of the deadly virus. One more H1N1 case was detected in Meemu Atoll who has also now recovered while cases of influenza A have been found in Shviyani Atoll and Ari Atoll.

According to officials the country has detected 12 cases of H1N1 so far and they include 6 cases found in the country and 6 cases found among foreigners arriving from abroad. While the Minister of Health Aminath Jameel has called for maximum prevention and good hygiene advising people to avoid crowds and travelling to other islands, 3 influenza A cases were detected in capital Male yesterday. They include a 53 year old woman who have lung congestion and a 7 year old child. One person among the contacts of the woman has also been detected for the A virus. The detection of these cases has coincided with a long Eid holiday when large number of people are travelling to other islands and abroad. The outbreak is also coinciding with school holidays.

The municipal authorities in Male has cancelled some festivities and traditional games arranged to celebrate Eid because of the flu situation. Authorities have also closed childrens parks temporarily. Public health is our main priority, municipal officials said and urged people to avoid going to crowded places. Meanwhile, authorities have also asked companies contractors and employees to ensure better hygiene of the extremely large number of foreign workers in the capital and other islands.

WHO has said on Thursday H1N1 deaths have jumped by 1000 in the past week. According to WHO at least 7826 people worldwide have died from H1N1 influenza virus since the new flu virus was first identified in April. Of these deaths 5360 occurred in the Americas, 738 in South East Asia and 650 in Europe.

Health officials are finding that bacterial pneumonia cases are rising along with instances of H1N1 virus. Doctors are seen an increase in flu complications leading to pneumonia. CDC officials in US are urging high risk adults to obtain vaccinations against pneumonia and H1N1, reports said.

In France, 2 people have died after mutated H1N1 flu infection. Health officials have said on Friday. The same mutation was detected in Norway recently. According to officials the mutation could increase the ability of the virus to affect the respiratory tract and lung tissues. The case was the first drug resistant strain found in France among the 1200 strains experts have analyzed there.

WHO has said on Thursday it was investigating reports of mutation in the H1N1 flu virus after half a dozen countries recorded cases in which the virus was transforming.

Skip to News

« back