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Five H1N1 positive Australians sent to ICU
by Camilla Abad - June 11, 2009 - comments
A virologist stressed that despite the five ICU patients being positive for the H1N1 virus, it does not necessarily mean that the virus has become more dangerous
Melbourne, Australia, June 11: Five people who tested positive for the H1N1 virus in Victoria, Australia have been confined in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), thus raising the concerns of experts studying the virus.
A spokesperson for the Department of Human Services confirmed that the five ICU patients are positive for the H1N1 virus but he refused to disclose any information regarding the patients' ages or underlying medical conditions which may have aggravated their condition.
He said, "What the underlying causes of their illness is, I don't know … They are certainly not well and need to be managed in ICU. In one case, the person is in hospital because of trauma, so the H1N1 is unrelated."
Increase in danger?
A virologist from Burnet Institute, Professor Greg Tannock, explained that despite the five ICU patients being positive for the H1N1 virus, it does not necessarily warrant that the virus has become more dangerous as there are many factors which may have caused the patients to be confined in the ICU.
Dr. Rosemary Lester, acting chief health officer of Victoria, also revealed that there are no indications that the virus has become more dangerous.
She stated that they are continuously monitoring the virus and are now working with three nursing homes whose residents have exhibited flu-like symptoms.
Dr. Lester said, "As is the usual practice in such instances, symptomatic residents have been isolated and movement of residents and staff has been restricted.
“Action being taken also includes the restrictions of visitors to the facility until the cases have resolved. Nose and throat swabs have been taken from the symptomatic cases for testing at VIDRL (Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory)."
WHO Meeting
The National Pandemic Emergency Committee of Australia and the World Health Organization (WHO) will be conducting a meeting on Thursday to discuss the spread of the H1N1 virus.
Just yesterday, WHO released a statement airing their concern regarding the unusual rise in the severe illness brought about by the virus in Canada and the increasing cases of the virus in Australia.
The meeting could also result in the WHO announcing the first flu alert pandemic in 41 years.
WHO has currently 26,563 recorded cases on the virus spanning 74 countries leading to 141 deaths. In Australia, 1260 cases have been filed.