Anxiety again about a mutation of the flu

Serious incidents of the seasonal flu record a constant and steady increase in our country. 25 patients with flu of the pandemic H1N1strain are in ICUs throughout the country today.

Overall, since the beginning of the year 45 people have needed hospital treatment in ICUs as a result of complications arising after falling ill with the flu. Of these, six have lost the battle – four of them in five days – while among the victims was a 14yo girl with no health problems.

A close examination of he medical history of patients in ICUs indicates that the flu attacks healthy individuals. From the 45 that dveloped respiratory and other complications after being infected, 15 did not suffer from a chronic health problem such as cardiac, respiratory, metabolic etc. diseases.   
 
The viral behavior of the flu Α(Η1Ν1) goes under the microscope

Meanwhile, the matching of positive Α(Η1Ν1) samples is continued at an unyielding pace by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (KEELPNO). Over 200 confirmed incidents have been recorded in the country.

However, experts focus their attention mainly on the viral observation of the flu in contrast to the epidemiological surveillance on which they concentrated during last year’s pandemic period.

This means that their basic concern is to record the heavy incidents that need treatment in ICU and/ or the deaths due to complications.

These serious incidents are the pool from which Greek scientists will also draw research data on a possible mutation of the pandemic strain A(H1N1) – mutation remains the nightmare of the scientific community since it would render useless both the anti-flu vaccines and the anti-viral drugs – the only available weapons for dealing with the flu.

Under these circumstances, the fatal incidents carry special significance. After the confirmation of the patient being diagnosed as infected by the viral strain, experts put the case under the microscope and seek to locate any possible mutations to its genetic material.

The data of viral inspections of all European countries is periodically sent to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), where the final assessment and evaluation of the flu takes place.