Rodrigo Arias, the ministro de la
Presidencia confirmed during a press
conference that his brother, Costa Rican
president Oscar Arias, has tested positive
for the AH1N1 virus infection after feeling
ill on Sunday.
Ministro Arias said that his brother was
examined by doctors, that included the
ministra de Salud, María Luisa Ávila, on
Sunday after complaining of a sore throat,
fever and other flu symptoms, however, the
AH1N1 test results were not available until
Tuesday.
"President Arias had body aches, a cough,
fever and felt tired, symptoms of the flu
and was put on medication at once", said
Ávila in a public statement on Tuesday.
Rodrigo Arias stressed during the press
conference announcing his brother's health
that the president will continue his
official duties during this week, but will
work from his home in Rohrmoser, where he is
being isolated and will not be receiving any
visits.
President Arias has, on occasions, used the
internet and telephone to run the country
while he was away, breaking from the
tradition of handing over the presidency to
his vice-presidents, which since last year
there have been none after the resignation
of Laura Chinchilla to run for the
presidency in 2010 and Kevin Casas early in
the administration.
The ministra de Salud added that president
Arias' condition is stable, his infection is
light and is receiving a treatment of
Tamiflú, taking one pill every 12 hours for
the next five days.
Ana Morice, the viceministra de Salud, who
was present at the Tuesday evening
press conference said that is uncertain how
the president came into contact with the
virus and the president does not require
hospitalization.
President Arias, by way of his ministra de
Comunicación, Mayi Antillón, said he will not
be making any public statements.
The positive test result was confirmed by
the Instituto Costarricense de Investigación
y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud (Inciensa)
at 3pm on Tuesday. A few hours later the
infection was made public.
Arias is 68 years of age (he turns 69 on
September 13) suffers form asthma which
places him in the high risk group, as the
AH1N1 virus has shown to be aggressive in
patients with respiratory problems such as
pneumonia.
Salud figures show that 21% of the 28 deaths
in Costa Rica attributed to the AH1N1 virus
have been people suffering from asthma.
Arias is the first head of state in the
world to announce publicly of the AH1N1
infection.
President Arias is expected to be at work at
Casa Presidencial come Monday. |
|
Costa Rica's
president, Oscar Arias, the first head of
state in the world to announce publicly that
he has contracted the AH1N1 virus.
|
|
