Ministry of Health: Swine Flu Reported in Most Provinces

A senior official from Iran's Ministry of Health stated that the number of victims of the H1N1 virus across the country has reached 57, with cases of the disease known as swine flu reported from most provinces of Iran, although in some provinces the severity of the illness has decreased. Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Gouya, head of the Center for Communicable Disease Management at the Ministry of Health, said on December 15 that recent deaths occurred in the provinces of Lorestan, Mazandaran, Alborz, Khuzestan, Golestan, and East Azerbaijan. Eleven Iranian citizens lost their lives last week due to swine flu, bringing the total number of victims to 57. Dr. Gouya added that 'all' of the recent victims of the H1N1 virus had other underlying health conditions, and the severity of these conditions was the reason for their deaths. According to the head of the Center for Communicable Disease Management, 'there is enough medication available,' but 'given the sensitivity regarding the use of this medication, it has been emphasized that only specialists in relevant fields should prescribe it for patients who need it.' This health official stated that the incidents related to the outbreak and mortality from swine flu are 'not unusual' and occur in most countries around the world. He also urged Iranian citizens to 'pay no attention to any rumors about this disease.' In the past two weeks, the first cases of death from the H1N1 virus were reported in Kerman province and then in Sistan and Baluchestan. The outbreak caused schools in these provinces to close for several days and led to the cancellation of most domestic and foreign trips. Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Gouya stated that in these two provinces, the severity of the disease has 'decreased.' According to this health official, a total of 2,700 suspected influenza samples have been 'examined' in 12 laboratories and reference centers across Iran in the past two weeks, with the number of positive cases reported as 896. In this context, reasons for the outbreak of swine flu were discussed with an epidemiology specialist, noting that 'over 60 percent' of trips to Kerman province have been canceled.