MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Possible first case of influenza A/H1N1 in Punta Arenas

A possible first case of influenza A/H1N1 has been detected in Punta Arenas, extreme south of Chile, according to local sanitary authorities. The 24 year old man reacted positive to an indirect immune-fluorescence (IFI) test which identifies the A human influenza virus but further tests are needed to determine if it is the H1N1 variant that is spreading worldwide.

“The patient was exposed to an IFI test which was positive to the A influenza virus. Now we must determine through tests form the Public Health institute if it is a positive case or not of human influenza H1N1”, said a release from the Punta Arenas Regional Hospital.

The patient is under custody of the Epidemiology Unit at the Paediatric Ward to begin the internment process according to established protocols added the release, which also pointed out that “it is not clear yet the source of contact since the patient participated in a family birthday party. To this respect the epidemiological investigation has begun to determine the contacts”.

The young man is also in group contact through his participation in karate classes.

The relatives of the young man complained that when he first went to the Regional hospital with high fever, severe stomach aches and general indisposition he was sent back home.

It was only when he repeated the visit the following day in worse conditions that the sanitary authorities reacted to the family insistence. He was then interned and isolated under observation.

The regional representative from the Chilean Ministry of Health, Maria Isable Banciella said that “all indications are that this could in effect be the first case of A/H1N1 influenza, since it is the only one that reacted positive to the IFI test. All previous experiences had been negative”.

Ms Banciella and Magallanes region mayor Mario Maturana also revealed that local health authorities were aware that the A influenza virus was in the region, but “should only lodge in weak, vulnerable persons”

In related news Chilean sanitary authorities reported the second death from A/H1N1 influenza, a man of 56 years with a long history of other complications such as obesity, apnoea syndrome, heavy smoking and heart insufficiency.

According to WHO and Chilean authorities there are 890 reported and confirmed cases of A/H1N1 in Chile, six of which described as in “critical condition”.