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Eleventh Case of Swine Flu in Serbia
Belgrade | 30 June 2009 |
Health Officials in Nis
The total number of swine flu cases in Serbia has reached 11, after the country registered its first case only seven days ago.
Predrag Kon, head epidemiologist at Belgrade's Public Health Institute, said the latest infections were among people in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Subotica and Nis.
The country's first swine flu patient, a 29-year-old male, is in stable condition and was discharged from hospital last night. The case was confirmed last Wednesday. The victim is believed to have contracted the virus during a visit to Argentina last week, according to the Health Ministry. The man flew to Buenos Aires via Zagreb, Croatia, and Frankfurt, Germany on June 18.
Last Thursday, Serbian health officials confirmed the second case of the swine flu virus in a four-year-old girl from the city of Sombor, in Vojvodina. The girl flew on June 22 from Australia. The 13 others who were in contact with the girl are being closely monitored by health officials.
The Serbian Health Ministry has urged the public not to panic, offering assurances that there were sufficient amounts of the prescription drug Tamiflu in stock to deal with a potential outbreak.
The Health Ministry has prepared around 3 million euros for eventual necessary therapies and to provide enough amounts of the drug Tamiflu.
People are requested to wash their hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and to stay at home if they become ill. Officials are urging people to not seek treatment if they have only mild symptoms. Symptoms of the flu include a fever, body aches, severe headache and coughing.
The Serbian Health Ministry has set up a 24-hour phone bank for people with questions about H1N1 Swine Flu virus. That number is: 0700-700-400 or seek help from local epidemiologist.
The new cases pose complications for Serbia's upcoming World University Games, which begin on July 1 in Belgrade. Thousands of athletes who will be competing in the games will now have to undergo swine flu testing if they cannot produce a certificate of clean health upon their arrival in the country, officials said.
