December 07, 2009
Fourteen people have died so far in Latvia from complications associated with the H1N1 flu, the Infectology Center of Latvia announced Dec. 7.
The most recent deaths were of two men in Rīga. One of them was 29 and the other 46, according to spokeswoman Liene Johansone.
Five deaths—including the first of a child—were reported last week. A 1-year-old child, a 52-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman died in Rīga, while the deaths of a 39-year old woman and a 58-year-old man outside the capital city also were reported.
The first death, of a 56-year-old woman, was reported in Rīga on Nov. 9.
According to infectology center data, the first case of H1N1 in Latvia was confirmed in late June. The number of confirmed cases ballooned during November. As of Dec. 4, a total of 966 cases of H1N1 have been confirmed in Latvia, all but two in Rīga.
Visitors in Latvia who have observed flu-like symptoms and need medical attention are asked to call the emergency number 122, according to the infectology center.
The intensity of H1N1 outbreaks in Latvia is now listed as high, according to the World Health Organization. Two weeks ago the intensity was medium. Intensity, according to WHO, “is an estimate of the proportion of the population with acute respiratory disease.” Medium intensity refers to usual levels of influenza activity.
Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.
