Possibility of swine flu epidemic in Azerbaijan not ruled out: Health Ministry official

Day.Az: Is Azerbaijan likely to face mass spread of swine flu soon?

Magsud Gasimov: One can make various predictions. But this infection has already reached 161 countries, over 100,000 people have been infected and it has claimed over 1,000 lives. Azerbaijan has already confirmed several cases and one can not predict what will happen in autumn.

Now it is summer and weather is hot. Such climate does not contribute to spread of cold diseases. However, we can not exclude occurrence of epidemics in autumn. So, Azerbaijan’s health care system is doing a lot to prevent A/H1N1. All infection disease doctors are now engaged in the search for new infected people. Because if you find a sick, isolate him and begin to treat, the risk of spread of infection through this person will be eliminated after 5-6 days.

In general, however, a danger for Azerbaijan remains high. After all, our country has a permanent contact with more than 100 countries around the world. Today, perhaps, someone  infected with the swine flu in a European capital may arrive in Baku tomorrow. But the problem is this person can not be considered sick yet. Because the incubation period of the virus is too varied  from several hours to 7 days. That is, the disease may be revealed in a week after the person comes back from a trip.

Q: Is there any medicine which can definitely kill the swine flu virus that is, to cure the sick people? Does Azerbaijan have such medicine?

A: There are indeed such medicine and Azerbaijan has it. For example, there is a good strong medicine Tamiflu. It is very effective. The drug is available in adequate quantities in all MoH hospitals and clinics.

Q: What would you recommend people to avoid swine flu in public places?

A: First of all, people should observe personal hygiene and epidemiological rules. Secondly, if a person feels symptoms of a real flu - fever, cough, weakness, he/she must necessarily and immediately consult a doctor. I recommend people do not engage in self-treatment.

/Day.Az/