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Health Ministry: Bulgaria is facing a nationwide H1N1 crisis

Sofia echo Wed, Oct 28 2009

Bulgaria is facing a nationwide H1N1 pandemic that could potentially affect as much as half the population, according to the Health Ministry.

Medical authorities, however, have refrained from dispatching an all-out warning because the "
threshold"
needed for that to happen is 200 people infected in every 10 000 although the situation is slowly but irreversibly deteriorating across Bulgaria.

The worst affected regions in the country are Yambol, Shoumen, Pleven, Lovech, Bourgas and Gabrovo, with big cities like Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna also registering increasing cases of the new influenza, according to Dr Angel Kunchev from the contagious diseases department in the Health Ministry, quoted by Dnevnik daily.

An emergency "
holiday"
was introduced in schools in Tryavna on October 28 with as many as 250 students potentially affected, by either swine flu or its seasonal equivalent.

"
Because the town is small, the community is tight and contacts are intense and frequent, we advise people to abstain from any unnecessary interaction at all cost,"
Kunchev told Dnevnik.

"
Six students are confirmed to have contracted the H1N1 virus in Tryavna, which is enough because in such circumstances, it is the dominant virus that usually affects the others in 90 per cent of the cases, and H1N1 is definitely the dominant one in this case"
.

Meanwhile, in Yambol, the situation was significantly worse in the secondary school of mathematics where 247 "
confirmed and tangibly sick children"
carried on attending classes and interacting with fellow pupils in spite of their condition.

"
We have 247 out of 800 students confirmed sick, and they still came to school. We kept telling people that, should they experience the virus, they should remain at home and avoid contact,"
Kunchev said.

"
We uphold the advice from the World Health Organisation that whenever someone displays symptoms of flu, regardless if its seasonal flu, it should be regarded as swine flu and extreme precautionary measures should be implemented,"
he said.

[size=55:8fs8vli8]novinite

Bulgaria Braces for All-out Flu Epidemic

A flu epidemic has been declared in Bulgaria's capital Sofia Saturday, expectations being that his status will befall the whole country in the next few days.

The flu epidemic status has already been set for the whole of Sofia Region, as well as for the cities of Pleven, Pazardzhik, Blagoevgrad, as well as for a number of towns in the Blagoevgrad Region.

This necessitates the closing down of schools for a period of a week, as well as special precautionary measures for citizens.

According to data from the National Reference Laboratory, 30% of sick persons tested in Sofia carry the A(H1N1) type virus.

Medical authorities have commented that the flu morbidity is expected to subside within 4 or 6 weeks.

From Novinite

Flu Epidemic Spreads across Bulgaria

In the capital Sofia the number of those having the flu has reached 155 per 1 000.
A flu epidemic has been declared in Bulgaria's regions of Shumen and Varna on Monday.

A patient in the city of Shumen has been proven to be a case of the so-called swine flu A(H1N1) virus, but is reported to be in good condition. The number of those with flu symptoms in the Black Sea capital of Varna has been steadily going up in the last few days.

According to data from the National Reference Laboratory, 30% of sick persons tested in Sofia carry the A(H1N1) type virus.

This year the flu can lead pneumonia, doctors say, and warn strongly against self-medicating and taking antibiotics.

The flu epidemic status has already been set for the entire Sofia Region, including the capital Sofia, where the number of those having the flu has reached 155 per 1 000, as well as for the Pazardzhik and Vratsa Regions, the cities of Pleven and Blagoevgrad and a number of towns in the Blagoevgrad Region.

A total of 12 Bulgarian regions are on the brink of declaring a flu epidemic.

This necessitates the closing down of schools for a period of a week along with special precautionary measures for citizens.

Medical authorities have commented that the flu morbidity is expected to subside within 4 or 6 weeks.

From Novinite

Flu epidemic reaches peak week

The flu epidemic in Bulgaria is about to reach its peak in the next seven days as all schools are closed for the week. A state of emergency because of the influenza has been declared in the cities of Shoumen and Varna on January 24 2011.

The National Reference Laboratory said that about 30 per cent of patients in Sofia are confirmed as having A (H1N1) influenza, where the number of those infected is currently at about 155 for every 1000. The situation is similar in Pazardzhik, the Vratsa municipality in the northwest, and the cities of Pleven and Blagoevgrad as well as a number of towns in the Blagoevgrad region.

Twelve more Bulgarian regions are on the brink of declaring a flu epidemic, media reports said.

Medical establishments will stop all consultations this week for children and women, as well as preventive examinations and vaccinations, the report said.

The Health Ministry said that it has enough antivirals in stock that could be forwarded to hospitals and GPs where needed.

From Novinite

Flu Epidemic to Overtake Entire Bulgaria

The Head of the "
Monitoring of Contagious Diseases"
Department at the Bulgarian Health Ministry, Dr. Angel Kunchev.
There is a strong possibility a flu epidemic would b declared for the entire country by the end of the week, the Head of the "
Monitoring of Contagious Diseases"
Department at the Bulgarian Health Ministry, Dr. Angel Kunchev, informs.

Currently, the Regions of Burgas, Vratsa, Shumen, Blagoevgrad, Veliko Tarnovo, Pernik, Kyustendil, Sofia City, Pleven, Pazardzhik, and Targovishte, have all declared flu epidemic.

Kunchev announced that no later than Wednesday the epidemic will be declared in the Plovdiv and Kardzhali Regions.

According to the medical expert, the most important characteristic of the flu is the very fast increase of those infected and the relatively fast decrease. He advises people to seek medical help immediately and to have an X-ray.

The symptoms include strong headaches, high fever and fatigue.

According to data from the National Reference Laboratory the flue is of the A(H1N1) type virus. It can lead to pneumonia, doctors say, and warn strongly against self-medicating and taking antibiotics.

It was also announced that all schools in the municipalities of Kardzhali and Gotse Delchev are closed over the flu outbreak.

MEPs criticise 'disproportionate' response to swine flu by EU states

byThe Sofia Echo staff

The European Union's "
disproportionate"
response to the outbreak of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus in 2009-2010 has been criticised by MEPs, the European Parliament said on January 25 2011.

The resolution adopted by the European Parliament's public health committee addresses the cost of vaccination programmes and relative risks that were faced, the statement said.

The criticism arises from differences in vaccination schemes in various EU countries. In some, they could cover the entire population while in others, such as Poland, there were no preemptive vaccination measures in place, the statement said.

The Bulgarian Health Ministry has confirmed that there are sufficient supplies of anti-viral injections in stock, which would be enough to treat the population during the peak season and beyond. The ministry has said that hospitals would be provided with additional quantities of anti-viral drugs, if deemed necessary.

The vaccinations are free in Bulgaria but the treatment is not mandatory, according to the report. In fact, on diagnosis, people would only be advised by medical authorities to get the jab if other methods are deemed insufficient.

MEPs called for further safeguards to prevent potential conflicts of interest. Names of experts who advise European health authorities on the matter should be published, the statement said.

If this is not achieved, under EU legislation, full liability for the vaccines should remain with the manufacturer, and not with the country.

Meanwhile, the flu epidemic in Bulgaria is about to reach its peak in the next seven days as all schools are closed for the week, until January 31.

Swine flu claims second fatality from Bulgaria's Blagoevgrad

byThe Sofia Echo staff

Swine flu has claimed its second casualty in Bulgaria, after a 43-year-old woman from Blagoevgrad succumbed to the strain in the Sofia Military Academy, Bulgarian media reported on January 28 2011.

People in the southwestern city of Blagoevgrad are reportedly "
worried"
and are purchasing medication en masse because this is the second fatality in the city from the strain. Two weeks ago, a 40-year-old man, also from Blagoevgrad, died from complications caused by H1N1.

Blagoevgrad is one of the most affected areas in the country, according to the report.

Medical officials say that there are 702 people infected for every 10 000 of the population. The doctors stress, however, that there is no reason for panic, as once adequate and timely treatment is applied, the swine flu would pass as "
easily as any other strain, such as seasonal flu"
.

They also said that many people buy anti-viral medication and opt for home-treatment, intead of seeking professional help, which is not "
advisable"
.

All schools in the area are closed and classes will not resume until February 1, unless there is a second wave of the influenza, bTV reported.

Novinite

Total of 18 Bulgarian Regions under Flu Epidemic

Bulgarians, especially in the regions under flu epidemic, are advised to seek medical help immediately and to have an X-ray.
The Bulgarian cities of Ruse, Yambol and Montana announced flu epidemic on Monday, the Health Ministry informed.

The total number of Bulgarian regions under flu epidemic is 18, including Sofia City, Burgas, Vratsa, Shumen, Blagoevgrad, Veliko Tarnovo, Kyustendil, Pleven, Pazardzhik and Targovishte.

Sofia City and Blagoevgrad are expected to declare an end of the flu epidemic by the end of the week, while other regions are yet to announce its beginning.

Last week, the Head of the "
Monitoring of Contagious Diseases"
Department at the Bulgarian Health Ministry, Dr. Angel Kunchev, said that the most important characteristic of the flu is the very fast increase of those infected and the relatively fast decrease.

He also advised people to seek medical help immediately and to have an X-ray.

The symptoms include strong headaches, high fever and fatigue.

According to data from the National Reference Laboratory the flue is of the A(H1N1) type virus. It can lead to pneumonia, doctors say, and warn strongly against self-medicating and taking antibiotics.

Sofia flu epidemic officially ends but continues elsewhere in Bulgaria

byThe Sofia Echo staff

The flu "
holiday"
affecting schools in Sofia has ended and regular classes will resume from February 1 2011, the Bulgarian National Television reported, citing Education Minister Sergei Ignatov.

The rate of infection in the city has steadily receded and medical authorities have said that the influenza emergency will be called off barring a "
second-wave"
resurgence of the virus, according to the report.

Regarding the days off from school, Ignatov said that students will not be asked to make up time because the material "
lost"
is insignificant in quantity and can easily be recouped.

But while the epidemic seems to be under control in Sofia, this is not the case in other areas where the influenza is just reaching its peak.

The influenza epidemic has been declared in four other districts of the country - Stara Zagora, Rousse, Yambol and Montana - the Health Ministry reported. These areas are significantly affected by the disease. The regions in Bulgaria affected by the strain now number 18 in total.

According to reports in local media, the flu "
holiday"
in Stara Zagora and Gabrovo has been extended to February 4 due to the large number of ill students. For the moment, it is unclear if schools in Veliko Turnovo and Varna will open for classes on February 1 as scheduled by the Ministry.

Blagoevgrad, in the southwest, one of the first regions hit by the strain, is expected to sound the "
all clear"
by the end of the week, reports said.

[size=55:2bnj50jb]Sofia echo

Influenza season triggers rise in attacks on doctors

The arrival of the traditional flu season, be it influenza or the more infamous swine cousin, has seen a rise in attacks on medical staff as the emergency services have become inundated with pleas for help.

Incidents of confrontations between patients and paramedics have been rising;
verbal and even physical abuse are not uncommon, the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported on February 1 2011.

Too few ambulances compared to demand has led to some fiery confrontations. Additionally, many doctors and other specialised personnel have reportedly refused to work the night shift in Sofia. They have repeatedly complained of antiquated vehicles and inadequate pay.

Health Minister Stephen Konstantinov promised a special meeting of emergency crews by the end of the week to address their numerous grievances.

The Health Minister has even mooted replacing ambulance doctors with lower-paid paramedics because the doctors themselves refuse to work in such conditions.

"
We will discuss it later this week with the heads of the respective emergency centres,"
Konstantinov told the BNT.

Meanwhile, the flu "
holiday"
affecting schools in Sofia has ended and regular classes will resume from February 1 2011.

The infection rate in the city has steadily receded and medical authorities have said that the influenza emergency will be called off barring a "
second-wave"
resurgence of the virus.

But while the epidemic seems to be under control in Sofia, this is not the case in other areas where the influenza is just reaching its peak.

The influenza epidemic has been declared in four other districts of the country – Stara Zagora, Rousse, Yambol and Montana – the Health Ministry reported. There are now 18 regions in Bulgaria affected by the strain.

According to reports in local media, the flu "
holiday"
in Stara Zagora and Gabrovo has been extended to February 4.

I just come across this in the Novinite paper it looks like the flu is on the move again

2 Bulgarian Regions Declare Flu Epidemic

Two Bulgarian regions – the northern Montana and the southern Stara Zagora are under a flu epidemic situation beginning Wednesday.

The news was reported by the Bulgarian Health Ministry.

Non-emergency surgeries and non-emergency children and pregnant women doctor's exams are on hold in both regions.

In addition, the regions of Dobrich, Varna, Gabrovo, Shumen and Lovech are on the brink of declaring a flu epidemic in what is deemed the second wave of the A(H1N1) virus, known also as swine-flu.

The Ministry informs its experts are still unable to predict if in the upcoming four days off the epidemic will spread even more or subside.

[size=55:38lnp3pg]novinite

131 Bulgarians Died during Flu Epidemics

A total of 131 people have died from flu during the two epidemics in Bulgaria in the period December 2010 – March 2011, showed data from the public health body RIOKOZ.

According to Angel Galabov, head of the Institute of Microbiology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAN), a total of 27 608 Bulgarians have been hospitalized during the four months of the flu epidemics.

"
Of the 131 death cases, 110 have died from pneumonia, 10 – from flu, 10 – from complications following flu, and one – from acute respiratory illness,"
Galabov said.

He explained that the most common complications of flu are bronchitis, laryngitis, otitis media, sinusitis, and cute respiratory failure, and the most affected age group is people between 46 and 64 years.

Of the deceased, 45 people were between 46 and 64 years old, 42 people were above 65, 19 people were between 30-45, seven – between 15 and 29. Five of them were children between 5 and 14 years, while 13 were the children below 4 years.

"
This means that the flu remains a serious problem which should be given special attention by different organizations in the European Union and in Bulgaria,"
Galabov said.

He noted that Bulgaria was well equipped with anti-flu patent medicines and that the serious illnesses were caused by seasonal flu.

[size=55:1bh6kg2m]novinite

Bulgaria Slaughters 15,000 Ducks to Ward Off Bird Flu

15,000 domestic ducks have been killed by Bulgarian veterinary authorities, after having been found to be infected with a flu strain similar to the virulent bird flu.

Authorities have stressed that this is only a precautionary measure, and that the flu involved is not dangerous for humans.

The radical measure has nevertheless been motivated by the possibility that the strain might mutate into the dangerous bird flu.

The infection of the unfortunate birds has been discovered during routine veterinary checks at four duck farms in the southern Bulgarian town of Rakovski.

"
After the global boom of bird flu, the EU included in its regulation on the matter that such destruction of animals could be carried out as a precautionary measure, even if only the lightly pathogenic flu strain has been discovered,"
said Svetozar Vasilev, head of the local food authority.

"
As is usual in such cases, one cannot ascertain the origin of the infection - it could well have come from migratory birds, for instance. At any rate, the duck population in Bulgaria is now clean and safe,"
added he.

The owners of the destroyed birds will be paid the full regulatory compensation by the Bulgarian state.