Moldova's medical institutions work in alert regime after exceeding of epidemic threshold of flu, respiratory infections

Chisinau, 13 February /MOLDPRES/ – The medical – sanitary institutions activate in the alert regime after overcoming the epidemic threshold of influenza and respiratory infections, and they are provided with all necessary medicines. The announcement was made today by the authorities at the meeting of the Commission for Emergency Situations (CSE) of the Ministry of Healthcare, Labour and Social Protection (MSMPS), with the participation of the specialists of the National Public Healthcare Agency (ANSP) and the heads of medical and sanitary institutions.

The commission's members have examined the epidemiological situation by influenza and acute upper respiratory tract infections (IACRS), severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and control measures.

"The level of diseases of influenza, IACRS and SARI, as well as the epidemic threshold, require an increased alert regime in the healthcare institutions and ongoing monitoring of the number of illnesses, so as to reduce the risk of infection and spread of these infections," said the state secretary of the MSMPS, Boris Galca.

Related to it, the activity of medical and sanitary institutions is carried out intensively with the provision of medical assistance, mainly at home, with the hospitalisation and treatment of patients with flu and respiratory infections in stationary conditions. The sanitary institutions are provided with the needed medicines, including antiviral ones. Also, Tamiflu is already in pharmacies. On 05 February, over 4,700 doses were distributed to pharmacies of Moldova.

Only in the recent week, seven people died of influenza A (H1N1), the number of deaths rising up to 20. Since the beginning of the cold season, there have addressed a doctor 1,255 Moldovans with flu.

According to World Health Organisation's (WHO) data, the influenza continues to grow in the European region. There is recorded a large number of cases of influenza virus infection in Romania and Ukraine.

So as to avoid illness, the epidemiologists recommend that citizens refrain from self – treatment and contact their doctor for the first symptoms of influenza – compatible disease. It is also necessary to avoid contact with pregnant women, immunocompromised persons, and cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and obesity patients.