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Swine flu grips Poland in October
13th October 2010

Three times the number of cases and suspected cases of flu were recorded in the first week of October in Poland than in the same period last year. The majority of reported cases were diagnosed as swine flu.

Between October 1-7, 15,750 cases or suspected cases of flu were registered in Poland, up from 12,500 in the last week of September. Statistically, nearly five in every 100,000 Poles caught the flu every day in the first week of this month.

Meanwhile, in the same period last year, when the swine flu epidemic reached Poland, only 5,887 cases and suspected cases of infection were recorded.

“The number of cases is great, much greater than last year,” epidemiology professor Andrzej Zieliński told TVN 24.

“The A/H1N1 virus is dominant. The increase [in recorded cases] was maintained also throughout September. At the moment it is hard to foresee whether an epidemic will develop,” Mr Zieliński said.

The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) says an epidemic is the worse-case scenario.

“We are monitoring the cases of illness. We recommend vaccinations. It is also a necessity to keep up hygiene practices and wash your hands regularly,” said Tomasz Misztal of GIS.

Last year, flu levels peaked in the last week of November, when 134,000 cases were recorded.

National Institute of Hygiene: an increase in the incidence of influenza A/H1N1 virus dominates
Author PAP - 5 hrs. ago

13.10. Warsaw (PAP) - In the first week of October, there were over 15 thousand. and suspected cases of influenza, it was almost 10 thousand. more than the same period last year - according to data from the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene.
From 1 to 7 October in Poland recorded a total 15 750 cases and suspected cases of influenza. The average daily incidence of this disease was 4.9 per 100 thousand. people. In the last week of September 1912 reported 631 cases. Most are caused by the H1N1 virus.
For comparison - the year before, in the first week of October, when the epidemic began influenza caused by H1N1 virus - were recorded only 5,887 cases and suspected influenza.

"The number of cases is large, much larger than last year. The dominant virus is H1N1. The increase was maintained during the whole of September. At this time, yet it is difficult to predict how the disease situation develops. It is not known yet whether the peak incidence occurs - just like last year - autumn - or winter. More will be said at the end of October, "- said in an interview with PAP national epidemiology consultant, Professor. Andrzej Zielinski.

"We must also remember that at the September onset may have affected that started the school year and children have returned from vacation. Also, doctors are more sensitive to the reporting of disease" - he added.
Chief Sanitary Inspectorate argues that the epidemiological situation is not extraordinary. "We monitor the number of cases. We recommend vaccinations. It is also necessary that the principles of hygiene, frequent hand washing. People with flu symptoms should see a doctor and stay in their homes. Going to school or work contributes to the spread of the disease" - Thomas told PAP Misztal GIS.

Most cases in the previous flu season was recorded in the last week of November, there were almost 134 thousand., And the average incidence was 43.91 per 100 thousand. people.
World Health Organization (WHO) announced in early August the end of the H1N1 influenza pandemic, the so-called. swine flu, which since April 2009, resulted in approximately 18.5 thousand. deaths. The organization announced the swine flu pandemic in June 2009, was the first pandemic since 1968. The decision was made after the meeting, WHO, UN specialists.
President of the Supreme Medical Council urged Hamankiewicz Matt at the end of September to the Minister of Health Ewa Kopacz to finance a vaccination against influenza A/H1N1. NRL boss stresses that scientists believe the virus could trigger a second wave of pandemic influenza. Ministry of Health ensures that medical personnel are covered by vaccinations.
According to experts, each of the flu vaccine available this year on the market will protect against the onset and the seasonal flu caused by H1N1 pandemic virus.

The European Commission in October last year recommended that countries of the European Union vaccination against seasonal influenza 75 percent of the population aged over 65 years. These rules should be introduced in the country no later than the late winter of 2014/2015. Until then, people aged over 65 will constitute one-fourth of the EU population. Currently the EU is very diverse proportion of older people who are vaccinated. In the Netherlands it is 80 percent and in Lithuania - 2 percent.
In Poland between 2006 and 2007 were inoculated with 13.44 percent. People in this age group. However, in 2008 only 5.2 percent were vaccinated. the entire population of the country.
The effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine is 70-90 percent. Even if infection occurs in the composition of which is not a vaccine for the epidemic season, influenza and so it goes without complications.
Influenza is an acute infectious disease caused by different strains of influenza virus. Moving the agent takes place by drops, while coughing, sneezing, talking, etc. It manifests itself primarily runny nose, sore throat, headache and muscle pains and high fever.
The disease can lead to serious complications and even life-threatening, especially for those at risk. These include the elderly over 65 years old, the chronically ill, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular or diabetes mellitus, transplant, and HIV-infected children under two years of age and pregnant women. (PAP)

Flu attacks


Last year at this time the world watched anxiously as the influenza virus attacks the AH1N1. Poland also introduced special precautions.

It turns out that the flu now attacking even harder, but this time no one is panicking. In the first week of October, there were over 15 thousand. and suspected cases of influenza, it was almost 10 thousand. more than the same period last year - according to data from the National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene.

Most cases are caused by H1N1 virus. Meanwhile, last year recorded nearly 6,000 cases and suspected influenza. Chief Sanitary Inspectorate argues that the epidemiological situation is not extraordinary.

Panic is never wise, but the silence in the media and the medical community strongly disturbs me - says the "Policy" by Dr. Paul Grzesiowski, an expert in infectious diseases at the National Institute of Medicines.

Paul Grzesiowski Head of Infection Prevention and Infection ...According to Dr. Grzesiowskiego, compared with data for the last year in October this year fell ill with flu in Poland as much as two times more people. Flu came so earlier - it usually falls on the peak January-February. The Poles did not want to be vaccinated, perhaps as a result of last year's dispute about the effectiveness of a vaccine against the virus or the flu or so, or H1N1 swine.

Meanwhile, soon, late autumn and winter, there may be a second wave epidemic of swine flu. Particularly at risk are obese, diabetics, pregnant women and children. It is these risk groups should be covered by the first vaccination.

Another patient in the pregnancy, which went to the University Hospital in Krakow with the H1N1 virus, it feels good - a hospital spokeswoman Anna Niedźwiedzka. This is the fourth case of the H1N1 virus in a hospital in Krakow. wiadomosci.wp.pl