Swine flu spreads in Georgia: No risk of epidemic

About 63 cases of influenza have been reported in the last 3 weeks and 95% of them were H1N1, known as the swine flu, reports director of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, Amiran Gamkrelidze.

There is no epidemic situation in the country and the virus was spread not only in Georgia but in Europe as well”, added Amiran Gamkrelidze.

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.

Amiran Gamkrelidze called on the population to show special caution regarding the swine flu.

I ask the population to be wary, especially with children. If the temperature rises above 38.5 degrees, it is necessary to consult a doctor. The child should not be sent to a kindergarten or school. It is necessary to contact a family doctor on the very first day", Gamkrelidze said.

Previously the Minister of Health Davit Sergeenko also warned citizens against panic, although there is no risk of epidemic. Medical aid centres in Tbilisi and some other cities in Georgia are currently on alert for the virus.

Currently, the H1N1 virus has caused the death of one person, who was aged 53, living in Adjara west Georgia.

Swine flu is the popular name for influenza caused by a relatively new strain of influenza virus A. It was responsible for the flu pandemic in 2009. The virus is officially known as influenza virus A/H1N1.