Health Minister: Most Flu Deaths Had Underlying Health Conditions

While an official from Iran's Ministry of Health reported an increase in the number of victims of swine flu to 46, the Health Minister stated that "none" of these individuals died "solely due to influenza" and that they had "underlying" health conditions. According to the Iranian Labor News Agency, ILNA, Mohammad Mehdi Gooya, head of the Center for Infectious Disease Management at the Ministry of Health, announced on Saturday, December 21, that 46 people had died from influenza. He also mentioned that there has been "exaggeration" regarding this disease. Meanwhile, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi stated that the deceased individuals "mostly" had another "underlying" disease and that "none" of them died "only due to influenza." Underlying diseases refer to conditions such as heart or lung diseases. The Iranian Health Minister also emphasized that there is no shortage of medicine or medical supplies. At the same time, Ali Akbar Siari, Deputy Health Minister, stated that there is "sufficient" flu medication and vaccine available. Mohammad Mehdi Zahedi, a representative from Kerman in Parliament, had said on Wednesday, December 18, that prescribed medications for treating influenza were "not available" in Kerman pharmacies. Reports indicate that the highest number of deaths from swine flu has occurred in the provinces of Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan. Meanwhile, the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Kerman Province stated that over 60% of domestic and foreign trips to Kerman have been canceled "due to the influenza disease and rumors surrounding it." Health Ministry officials reported a decrease in the number of people infected with this disease in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan and Kerman, while also stating that the provinces of Kermanshah, East Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, Khuzestan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Isfahan, Tehran, Semnan, and North Khorasan will "be affected by this disease in the coming weeks." Meanwhile, Mahmoudreza Miri, head of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, reported on Friday evening that the number of suspected cases of this disease in Sistan and Baluchestan has decreased from 500 to 178. According to Mr. Miri, the infection of 10 of these individuals with influenza has been confirmed, and they are under treatment. Health Ministry officials stated that "this year the H1N1 virus or swine flu virus" has become prevalent in Iran, which has "greater pathogenicity than other viruses that cause seasonal influenza." Swine flu is an acute respiratory disease observed in pigs that can be transmitted to humans and also from human to human. The initial symptoms of the disease are more severe than those of a common cold. In children, diarrhea and vomiting are also observed.