Health Ministry: There is no epidemic in Armenia
The analysis of the rapid response team of Armenia’s Ministry of Health shows that the number of serious cases of H1N1 virus is much the same in the country following an outbreak of influenza that forced the Armenian government to extend winter holidays for students and schoolchildren for a week. "The health condition and treatment of all the patients are in the center of attention of specialists and the Minister. The Minister personally follows their treatment and changes in health condition. "On the orders of Minister Armen Muradian, members of the Ministry’s rapid response team regularly visit the patients in Yerevan and regional hospitals and follow their treatment on the spot. Specialists of the State Health Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health are also carrying out extensive studies. Policlinics and hospitals across the country have sufficient medication to deal with the seasonal viruses, the Ministry said. At the same time, the Ministry thanks all organizations media and the citizens who demonstrate vigilance and assist the Ministry in dispelling unnecessary fear and panic. We urge the public to rely only on the reliable data provided by official sources, which is aimed at raising the vigilance of the healthcare system and the population. We remind citizens that if they delay treatment or get engaged in self-treatment, health-threatening problems may emerge," the Ministry said in a statement. Hundreds of people, including children, have been hospitalized in Armenia in the past week following an outbreak of influenza. Hospitals in the country are packed with infected patients. The Ministry of Health confirmed 27 cases of swine flu to date, including four cases with a lethal outcome. Though the health authorities acknowledged the flu and common cold outbreak they avoided using the word 'epidemic.'
