No cases of swine flu reported in Azerbaijan
By Amina Nazarli
The Azerbaijani Health Ministry refused rumors about the spread of swine flu in the country, saying that no infection cases have been reported so far.
It also recommended the population to contact the hospitals immediately when symptoms of the flu first appear, as well as refrain from trips to countries with intense epidemiological situation. The Health Ministry asks to use special masks and practice good personal hygiene.
Azerbaijan has strengthened epidemiological surveillance, as the relevant agencies are taking all the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease across the country. However, the deterioration of the epidemiological situation in neighboring countries poses a threat to Azerbaijan.
Three more people died from swine flu in Turkey’s province of Diyarbakir, according to the Turkish Haber 7 newspaper on January 18. Starting 2016 the flu was confirmed in 463 people in Turkey, leaving 17 people dead.
The number of cases of swine flu in neighboring Russia is also increasing. In early December H1N1 made up some 4 percent of all viral diseases in the country, while today the figure is 42 percent.
Swine flu, which can be transmitted by airborne droplets, is more severe than seasonal flu. Symptoms of the disease are vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, high fever and shortness of breath.
H1N1 virus was first reported in Azerbaijan in 2009, with more than 10 people infected, but no cases of death.
The flu was first detected in the United States in April 2009. Swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, is a relatively new strain of an influenza virus that causes symptoms similar to the regular flu. It originated in pigs, but is spread primarily from person to person.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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