BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - The death toll from swine flu in Argentina increased by almost 50% in three days and reached to 137, overtaking Mexico as the second largest number of deaths in the world after the United States, reported Tuesday Ministry of Health said in a statement.
The report said 137 deaths were reported affected by the virus A (H1N1) for the 94 that were reported on Saturday.
These figures make Argentina the second most affected country in the world in number of deaths, ahead of Mexico (124) and behind the United States (211).
Health Minister, Juan Manzur, said last week that based on projections, it is estimated that 100,000 people contracted swine flu in Argentina since its presence was detected for the first time last May.
In the weeks that followed the confirmation of the first death in the country, June 15, Buenos Aires and surrounding areas exhibited the highest amount of infections and deaths.
Now, however, the sharp rise in casualties is due to the pandemic from expanding beyond the capital, coinciding with the progress of the southern winter.
"What we experienced in the capital and the metropolitan area two or three weeks ago moved to the provinces," said Hector Laplume, coordinator of the Infection Control Committee State Hospital Alejandro Posadas, centralizing the care of the sick swine influenza in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
The specialist told AFP that "in the capital and the province of Buenos Aires have declined dramatically in recent days consultation."
However, Laplume said it is impossible to foresee what the future behavior of the pandemic, since it will depend "on climate issues and what happens when returned to normal activity in August."
About 10 million students of all levels are no classes in the decision to anticipate and extend winter vacation until Aug. 3 as a precaution. Manzur
received on Tuesday a group of MPs, led by the chairman of the Health Committee of the Lower House, the official John Sylvestre Begnis, who defended the Government saying that "not hiding information", as some critics argued .
After the meeting, Begnis insisted in recent days "fell, hospital visits, telephone inquiries and we see a amesetamiento (stabilization) on the issue," but warned that "this does not mean that there can be a tolled "of the epidemic. Jorge Lemus
Health Minister the city of Buenos Aires, warned Tuesday that the peak could come in two weeks, provided that the swine flu follow the usual seasonal patterns.
addition to the suspension of classes, the government ordered to leave for pregnant women and others considered at-risk population.
In Buenos Aires, famous for its cultural and active social life, the theater will reopen its doors after 10 days of recess, while the attendance of people at public places declined.
The news of the progress of the flu coincides with the meeting on Wednesday remain in Buenos Aires Health ministers from six South American countries, with the aim to "advance the harmonization of joint measures to tackle the pandemic in southern winter.
SOURCE: AFP
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