No Cases Of New Flu Virus Infection In Romania – Health Minister

Bazac said that in the last 24 hours a “special case” was noted in Romania – an American citizen who met the epidemiologic conditions outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), but whose test results came back negative.

 

Minister Bazac presented an updated report on the status of the new virus in Romania. He said the Romanian epidemiologic system has worked efficiently and, between April 28 and May 8, had investigated 58 people who returned from countries affected by the virus, such as Mexico, the USA or Spain, and who had several flu symptoms. The test results in all their cases were negative. Five of the 58 people were diagnosed with seasonal flu and four are being investigated for various illnesses, mostly digestive.

 

The Health Minister also presented the status of the virus’ spread worldwide and number of cases. According to the Minister, there are 3,278 patients infected with the new flu virus worldwide, which has so far caused 48 deaths. The EU has 173 confirmed cases, 28 of which due to inter-human spread.

 

“It is important to note that yesterday (Friday) morning in the USA there were 896 cases, and today (Saturday) there are 1,639 cases, plus two deaths. This means the virus acts extremely quickly and I call on the public to understand the danger of flu has not passed. Alertness in Romania must remain very high,” Bazac said.

 

Bazac mentioned that Romanians will receive a letter in the mail, comprising the prophylactic measures every person must take to avoid becoming infected. He asked Romanian health institutions and “the entire epidemiologic” system to take the WHO’s warnings and the information received from the European Center for disease prevention and control extremely seriously.

 

Bazac said the Romanian health system is prepared to treat any case of infection with the AH1N1 virus and that “every antiviral drug needed to treat this potential pandemic” is available.

 

Health Minister Ion Bazac attended a ceremony Saturday in the southern Romanian city of Pitesti, laying wreaths at the Heroes Monument, and later met with the heads of the Arges County Public Health Office and County Council. Bazac then visited the Pitesti Hospital for Infectious Diseases and the Diagnosis Center.