MEXICO City, Mexico (Reuters) — Measures are being taken in Mexico to combat influenza after a surge in cases, which, according to authorities, is associated with a late entry of winter which has caused low temperatures.
Health authorities have reported that so far this winter season 2,818 influenza cases have been confirmed in the country, with a total of 98 deaths.
This figure represents an increase of 11.8 percent compared to the number of cases over the same period last year.
Most cases, just over 50 percent, have been centred in Mexico City, followed by the states of Jalisco, the state of Mexico, Nuevo Leon and Tlaxcala.
In Mexico City – which in 2009 was paralysed by the outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus – health centres run by the local government are providing free vaccines to prevent further infection.
People of all ages are being vaccinated, spurred by recent news of an increase in influenza cases around the country.
“I had seen commercials on TV and radio and I had symptoms, I don’t know if they were from influenza or a cold but I decided to come and get vaccinated to prevent whatever’s out there,” said Mexico City resident, Armando Rodriguez.
Some felt it is better to be safe rather than sorry.
“I know there is a vaccination campaign each year and I also heard on the TV that it would be going around now so I said to my wife: ‘Lets go and get vaccinated.’ It could be very useful,” added Mexico City resident, Venicio Guzman.
In spite of a spike in cases, epidemiological authorities have ruled out the outbreak is of concern and have cautioned that the increase is within normal expectations and that more cases will be reported in the coming weeks.
“In our country, winter started late. That means that in the last few weeks, there has been an increase of influenza. It’s logical to expect this type of situation. It could continue increasing but, I insist, we are prepared. The cold (weather) has a lot to do with it,” said chief epidemiologist at the Health Ministry in Mexico City, Noe Calderon.
Noe ensured the population that health centres and hospitals are equipped with sufficient vaccines to prevent infections and treatment for those infected. They have cautioned residents to avoid assuming all respiratory infections are due to influenza.
“We remember and now everything that is acute respiratory infection, we say first that it is influenza and then that it’s H1N1. That’s a mistake and it should be made clear that not all acute respiratory infections are influenza and not all are H1N1,” Calderon added.
Nevertheless, in recent days, residents in Mexico City have complained there is a shortage of medication to treat the disease, called osoltamivir – brand name Tamiflu – in pharmacies.
However officials of various health institutions argue that all public hospitals have enough treatment for the sick and that Roche, the pharmaceutical company that makes the treatment, will send more stock to private pharmacies during the first week of March.
Despite calls for calm since last week by health officials, education authorities have recommended that schools try and detect sick children and ask their parents to take them home in order to avoid further outbreaks.
Similarly, antibacterial gel and face masks are being handed out to students prior to the start of classes.