Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

Soon after Turkish health officials reported the country's first swine flu death, Ankara's governor ordered the closure of all schools in the city.

Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag reported on Saturday that some 958 individuals had tested positive for the virus.

Officials added that the deadly H1N1 virus has claimed the life of a 28-year-old patient, reportedly a cleaner in an Ankara hospital, making him the country's first swine flu victim.

Governor Kemal Onal, later on, announced that the schools would remain closed for the duration of one week starting Monday.

Earlier, dozens of students from different schools in different cities such as Istanbul had tested positive for A/H1N1; many primary and secondary schools, therefore, were closed for a week in regions such as the southeastern province of Diyarbakir.

School recess in Ankara ends
The schools in Ankara, which were earlier recessed to prevent spread of H1N1 virus, will be re-opened on Monday.

Ankara Deputy Governor Fahri Aykırı recalled on Sunday that education had been recessed as of October 26 in Ankara as swine flu cases spread among students.

Aykırı told the Anatolia news agency that schools were disinfected against pandemic A H1N1 virus during one week recess, adding that flu cases dropped in students throughout this one week period.

He also said that vaccination against swine flu would begin as of tomorrow, adding that firstly health personnel and prospective hajjis would be vaccinated.

Turkey ordered first shots of swine flu vaccines from Switzerland-based drug company Novartis. First part, 500,000 doses, will be distributed to provinces tomorrow.

Pregnant women in Turkey will get a special form of swine flu vaccine. Turkey will import 1 million doses which do not contain "adjuvant" for pregnant women. Adjuvant-free vaccines will arrive in Turkey in December.

Turkey detected over 1,500 swine flu cases since May and three fatalities reported so far.
THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY ANKARA