17 dies of H1N1 in Georgia
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, January 16
Seventeen people have died of the H1N1 acute respiratory illness in Georgia, which is also known as the swine flu.
The most recent fatality took place late on Monday when the flu claimed the life of a 48-year-old man.
The Georgian Health Ministry says that the man also suffered Hepatitis C.
The flu is particularly dangerous for elderly people, children, pregnant women and those with chronic illness.
Georgian health officials say that there is no reason of panic or epidemic, as for now 254 people are infected with the flu per 100,000.
Despite this two Georgian occupied regions Abkhazia and Tskhinvali temporarily closed so-called borders with the rest of Georgia to “avoid the spread of the virus”.
The decision has created problems for the local population who vitally need contacts with other parts of the country for everyday needs.
The government of Iran has called upon its citizens to refrain from visiting Georgia because of the threat of the flu.
The virus is also spread in Armenia. One individual has died in Armenia because of the swine flu so far.
The government of Georgia has made the anti-flu medicine Tamiflu free in the case of medical prescription and stated that the expenses for emergency ambulatory service will also be covered by the state budget.
Swine flu is contagious, and it spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu. The most serious complication of the flu is pneumonia, leading to fatal cases.
