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Serbia Registers Fifth Swine Flu Victim
Belgrade | 06 November 2009 | Bojana Barlovac
Health officials have recorded 244 cases of the H1N1 virus so far but it is estimated that the actual number is much higher. When the first fatality occurred, a member of the working group established to fight the pandemic, epidemiologist Branislav Tiodorovic, said that there was no need for panic but stressed that the situation should be taken seriously.
According to Tanjug news agency, the head of the health ministry’s special working group for monitoring and controlling the pandemic, Predrag Kon, has announced that Serbia’s epidemiological situation is quite serious, stressing that nearly 20,000 people have acute respiratory infections.
As the number of infected rapidly rises, the Serbian government has provided additional funds to purchase three million doses of vaccine against the flu. The country’s Health Minister Tomica Milosavljevic announced on Friday that vaccination against the disease will begin in mid-December.
He reiterated that the vaccine is the best prevention from the virus, noting that prioritised groups include children, persons with chronic disorders, pregnant women and health and public employees.
"My recommendation is that all the people receive the vaccine, because the benefit is much greater than the potential damage. The duration of the vaccine is 18 months, so that vaccination will be continued until all who wish to be innouclated have received the vaccine," broadcaster RTS quoted Milosavljevic as saying.
As of today, school children will have an extended fall break, until 10 November, due to the education ministry’s prevention of the virus spreading in schools. Additionally, in case of a larger epidemic, there is a possibility for schools to be closed for a longer period.
For more information, please see: Timeline, Swine Flu in the Balkans, Update
