Costa Rica
Reports First Swine Flu Death
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Costa Rica
Reports First Swine Flu Death
A 53 year old man, a musician from San
Antonio de Coronado, is the first fatality
from the swine flu. The ministra de Salud,
María Luisa Ávila, confirmed that the man
died at 0:20am Saturday.
The ministra explained that the virus caused
pneumonia and despite treatment, the man,
identified as Manuel de Jesús Arévalo
Ramírez, did not surive.
Salud officials say that Ramírez had come
into contact with 51 others, of which three
children were infected, while the rest were
cleared by health officials. Of the three
children, only had to be hospitalized, where
she remains still, while the rest are
recovering.
Ramírez, a father of six children and
grandfather to 7, had been admitted to the
Calderón Guardia hospital since last week.
Ministra Avila said that his health
deteriorated over the last several days, due
to his diabets and lung disease.
The Costa Rican fatality was one of eight
swine flu cases in the country confirmed by
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). The man, along with
another six were on the "probables" list
awaiting confirmation by the CDC, which came
late last week. Until then the CDC had
confirmed only one case.
The ministra de Salud said they are not sure
how the man became infected. He, like the
others confirmed, have either or suspected
to have recently travelled to Mexico or have
been in contact with someone who has.
Many flu sufferers have been linked to
recent trips to the United States or Mexico.
Ministra Avila sad that there are no new
confirmed cases, however, the number of
suspected cases has risen. As of yesterday,
there were 774 reported suspicions since the
outbreak on April 24, of which 583 have been
discarded and 183 are under evaluation.
The death of the first case of swine flu
fatality will go without an autopsy, as
pathologists of the Calderón Guardia did not
perform one before handing over the man's
body to the family for burial.
Rosa Climent, medical director of the Caja
Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS)
explained that there is an agreement between
the hospital and CCSS management to inform
the ministerio de Salud and for
recommendations on the handling of the body.
Climent confirmed that this was not done.
The ministra said that, though not
essential, an autopsy would have given
provided information to the world health
community.
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