Costa Rican
Health Minister Calls For Extreme Alert For
AH1N1
Following the confirmation of the third
death from the AH1N1 flu virus in Costa
Rica, health officials have intensified the
alert.
The ministra de Salud María Luisa Ávila said
"we will follow with phase 6 and for anyone
who believes we are exaggerating, this is a
call for extreme measures".
According to the ministra, who is in Mexico
for world conference on the AH1N1 flu virus,
the case of the 55 year old man with
pulmonary problems shows he was affected
aggressively by the virus.
Ávila explained that those who smoke and
suffer from pulmonary problems, obesity,
hypertension or diabetes, suffer greater
risks if infected.
"A setback is when we have a death without
any other health problems", said Ávila.
The ministra said that at the conference
three main questions will be addresses: what
will happen with the virus, who will we
vaccinate if it begins to kill those without
risk and, how can we continue for the next
year or more without panicking.
In Costa Rica four people are currently in
hospital, two of which are in delicate
condition.
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