Epidemic grows: 165 swine flu cases

According to official data, the number of A(H1N1) pandemic have increased by 63 in Belarus over the last four days.

According to the Ministry of Health of Belarus, 165 laboratory confirmed cases of A(H1N1) flu have been detected since May 2009 BelaPAN reports.

As of November 9, the Republican Scientific and Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, 128 laboratory confirmed cases of diseases caused by A(H1N1) virus.

Deputy minister of health and chief sanitary officer Valyantsina Kachan said on November 8 that 102 cases were recorded in Belarus. According to official information (as of November 4) 7 persons died from swine flu.

Thus, in accordance with official statistics, the number of patients suffering from swine flu has increased by 63 over four days.

However the number of cases could be much higher as not all patients with pneumonia pass A(H1N1) tests. Laboratories are not ready for such a number of people. Considering the difference between the number of persons who passed tests and the real number of the infected, one could assume that in reality there are by one order more cases.

Despite of the flu outbreak and death cases which have become more frequent, medical institutions of Minsk experience vaccines supply disruptions even against seasonal flu. There is still no swine flu vaccine in Belarus. The Health Ministry promises that swine flu vaccine will be bought in Russia, however it is unknown when it would be received by Belarus.