In 2010 Belarus expects more colds than in 2009. Nearly 24 thousand cases (20 thousand — in 2009) were registered in Minsk last week. Doctors believe that the peak will occur in early 2011 and the influenza virus H1N1 will prevail. This was stated by the head of the epidemiological department of the Minsk City Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology Elena Fisenko.
«This year incidence rate is much higher compared to the last year and multiyear averages. Therefore, we say that this year should be actively immunized. We now record about 23-24 thousand cases a week. The incidence rate per day is about 4.5-5 thousands on weekdays, there are traditionally fewer people on Saturday and Sunday. This level is relatively high for this time of year. At this time the number of cases is usually about 4 thousand per day,» Elena Fisenko said, «European Radio for Belarus.»
According to the specialist, now we can observe the classic viral infections, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Flu will spread in November. «It is not still the flu, it is SARS, but this revitalization of respiratory viruses suggests that influenza might also behave aggressively when the incidence of influenza starts, which is traditionally related to November,» Helen Fisenko added.
January-February period is traditionally predicted time for Belarus as the peak of the epidemic incidence rise. It is not excluded that the small spikes can be formed as early as November. Elena Fisenko reported that during the peak incidence in November 2009, 170 thousand residents of Minsk were caught with flu and colds.
«The first and most urgent recommendation today is, of course, vaccination, because the virus H1N1 influenza is projected to prevail, as it used to be last year. All vaccines on the market this year contain this strain of influenza virus. That is, they protect against disease without a doubt. If for some reason it’s impossible to make a vaccine, we can already begin the course on preventive antiviral preparation,» a specialist recommends.
