Ecuador: H1N1 Flu Virus Impacted by Climate Change

ELCOMERCIO.COM reported… They repeated the tests over and over again, until you find the index case. Seven years ago, doctors Alfredo Bruno, Domenica de Mora and other researchers tried to identify the first frame of H1N1 influenza in the country. It was in May 2009. In that year, because of the pandemic, the team conducted 180 tests per day. Currently, 40 do in the weeks highest incidence. So far in 2016, the National Reference Center for Influenza, National Institute of Public Health Research (Inspi), certified by the World Health Organization (WHO), has analyzed 2674 samples, especially on suspicion of AH1N1 virus. This subtype of influenza is characterized as contagious and create acute infections, especially in vulnerable groups. It has a 1% lethality. Bruno, head of the center said that the behavior of the type A influenza has been responsible for major pandemics. “You have to watch for its high mutation and because it has host animals, such as birds and mammals, where they can recombine”. In these years of circulation, the virus has left 4,611 confirmed cases and 329 deaths in the country, according to the Ministry of Health. Until the first week of June, already he spoke of 67 people killed by the virus circulation in the country. Of that amount, Pichincha the highest number of deaths, with 31. They are followed Manabi and Chimborazo. According to Bruno, climate influences the behavior of the virus. While in the northern and southern hemispheres seasonal presence is more pronounced in the equatorial zone there is an irregular circulation, which usually appears in two peaks, according to seasonal changes. In the National Influenza Center developed a chart with historical data and epidemic curves (mild, normal and high incidences of the virus). “The current outbreak reached the alert threshold, but is already declining , ” says Bruno. And it shows a peak in April. This increase corresponds to cases in the Sierra Center. The picture shows another peak alert in July. “It is likely that either the Costa” says De Mora, center supervisor. That would coincide with low temperatures on the coast. Washington infectologists German agrees that the virus acts unpredictably. But it gives some features that could add more cases: low temperatures, humidity, overcrowding and lack of hygiene measures. To that list, the infectious disease Milton Chang has a deficient immune system, which may facilitate the development of serious respiratory infections. “The risk of this is that influenza can cause severe pneumonia, respiratory failure and require intensive care.” Eduardo Sandoval, zonal coordinator 8 Health, explained that the Ministry manages a screening protocol. He states that doctors, public and private, must report flus with breathing difficulties and fever that will not give in to perform tests on the Reference Center. Sandoval is familiar with this procedure, which was applied in 2009, when he directed the Hospital of Infectious Diseases. There they attended the first case of AH1N1 in the país.Ahora coordinates the second phase of vaccination, which is developing and includes 81,000 doses for 8. Zone (Guayaquil, Duran and Samborondón). “We hope to cover the most vulnerable population because a temperature change that could increase the occurrence approaches”. A further diagnosis, Influenza Center obtains the raw material for vaccines each season. Each year sends to the international centers doses produce between 20 and 40 samples from patients who have died with suspected resistance to antiviral treatment. READ ARTICLE

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