ARMENIA CLAIM THAT H1N1 DOES NOT DIFFER FROM ORDINARY FLU, BUT URGE CAUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.12.2009 18:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee of Health
Ara Babloyan told a press conference on Dec. 8 that the virus H1N1 (
"swine flu") has the same pattern that an ordinary flu. There is no
need in taking special measures against this virus.

"Closure of schools and kindergartens is a classical measure to prevent
the possible epidemic, rather than the measure taken in connection
with a complicated situation in Armenia. But as the H1N1 virus is
not fully studied and is prone to mutation, everybody must be alert
and cautious, " Ara Babloyan stressed.

According Ara Babloyan, WHO recommends to vaccinate not the whole
population, but people at risk: small children, people with chronic
illnesses, the elderly and pregnant women. He informed that the
French Embassy in Armenia for the last three days has been vaccinating
against H1N1 citizens of France, located in Armenia.

Ara Babloyan informed, that 40 patients suffering from H1N1 influenza
are currently registered in Armenia.