Is there a "Swine flu" or not?

A number of people infected with swine flu in Turkey, Russia, Iran and Georgia,   the countries neighboring  with Azerbaijan, is growing. The disease  which spreads through airborne droplets, forces all countries to take urgent measures. However, the state structures of Azerbaijan state  in the statistical data that up to date  no  one in the country is infected with the virus. There are very sharp respiratory infections, which are subject to appropriate treatment.

 In his statement to the «Modern.az» site the Professor Adil Geybulla noted that statistical data do not show the presence of infected with "swine flu" in the country, but this does not correspond to the logic. According to him, there are severe flu-like symptoms with high temperature. There are people who die from flu. It is possible that among them were those who had been infected with swine flu. In any case, without identification of the virus  it is impossible to say for presence or absence.  Only formal structures can state it.  According to him, the government should timely contact the respective WHO structure, to check blood tests in foreign laboratories. Do not make statements like "we do not have and will not have such influenza", just  the approach to the problem should be seriously. I believe that even  if the swine flu is detected  it is possible to  conceal it, as migration processes  are taking place in Azerbaijan; three million  Azerbaijanis are outside the country. As a result of entrance-exit  to the country people can bring virus with them.

According to PhD Rita Ismayilova,the head of the department of epidemiology of especially dangerous infectious diseases of the Republican Anti-Plague Station, since January to date the station received 360 samples from patients with acute respiratory symptoms. All samples were tested for the swine flu virus – the result was negative. In comparison with neighboring countries, says Rita Ismayilova, in Azerbaijan this infection was not detected due to the precautionary preventive measures. All vehicles coming into the country from abroad, have been disinfected.

WHO warns of the greatest risk of developing a severe form of swine flu in people over 65, the elderly, the disabled, pregnant women, the chronically ill, including cores, neurological patients, children from  six months to six years. For this reason, the organization recommends  annual vaccination of   this group.

Another recommendation of WHO  is addressed directly to the public. People who have a cough, sore throat, a small temperature should  consult a doctor, stay at home  and receive outpatient treatment. If  after 73 hours all of the above symptoms do not improve, then the patient should consult a doctor, therapist and begin treatment with antiviral drugs.

Ziyaddin Kazimov, the Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Hygiene Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic said thatappropriate disinfection was  conducted in connection with the swine flu in schools and kindergartens of Baku, Sumgait, Ganja, Mingechevir and Absheron.

Head of press service of Ministry of Health Liya Bayramova told Turan, thatH1N1virus has not been detected in Azerbaijan in any samples. Monitoring is conducted on a daily basis. Currently, there is no danger of swine flu in the country., and no cases of infection with the virus were detected in the country, Bayramova said.-0-