ARMENIA PREPARED TO FIGHT SWINE FLU, SAYS HEALTHCARE MINSTER
Tert
Nov 10 2009
Armenia
Referring to the H1N1 flu virus, Armenian Healthcare Minister
Harutyun Kushkyan, at a press conference today, stated that Armenia
is prepared to combat the virus. The minister stated that Armenia is
provided with pharmaceuticals: At the moment we have 7,500 doses of
the necessary 30,000 dosage Tamiflu vaccine, while 20,000 more doses
will be acquired.
As reported by Tert.am yesterday, the first possible case of swine
flu was recorded a few days ago. The patient was an Iranian citizen
who received treatment and returned to Iran. The minister, in answer
to a question by Tert.am, said that the other two diagnosed cases
were two Armenian citizens who had arrived from Russia two days ago:
they received treatment at the Republican Hospital and their health
condition is stable.
Minister Kushkyan said the cases mentioned above were examined and
diagnosed, but according to the World Health Organization’s procedure,
the organization’s regional centres must also provide their own
diagnosis for suspected cases. The examination results of personal
samples from suspected patients were sent to London and will be ready
in a month.
Kushkyan stated that the Tamiflu vaccine was to be sent to Armenia
at the end of January, but since there are already suspected cases
in the country, they are negotiating with various international
organizations in order to receive the vaccine earlier, so that they
may begin distributing vaccinations.
The healthcare minister once again appealed to the population not
to panic but show vigilance and be careful. Swine flu, according
to Kushkyan, doesn’t differ from other flu viruses and has the same
symptoms as a simple flu. The minister asked the population to go to
their family doctor as soon as symptoms appear.
"Each epidemic has a beginning and an end, and I hope this will end
too and soon we will forget about all this," Kushkyan said.