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Mexico Expert Estimates 20M Infected by H1N1
 The News
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April 23, 2010
 |  | When the campaign began, I thought it would be a lot more difficult. I think that people need to be congratulated.
- Alejandro Macías Hernández |  | | |
Mexico City – According to epidemic and clinical studies in Mexico, it is estimated that a total of 20 million people have been infected by the H1N1 virus in one year. This virus caused the first pandemic of the 21st century.
Alejandro Macías Hernández, Special Commissioner on H1N1 Virus Cases and infectologist at the Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Medical Science and Nutrition, said on Thursday that a new outbreak is unlikely to happen because 23 million vaccinations have been administered in the country.
“Those who caught the virus experienced, in most cases, minor symptoms. In fact, the sum of those estimated 20 million people and the number of vaccinations administered gives us good immunity. For this reason, we think that there will not be a new outbreak,” Macías said.
Exactly one year ago (April 23, 2009), the government issued the epidemic alert that is still in force though the measures are significantly more relaxed. Last year, schools were closed, all economic activities in the country were suspended and it was advised to avoid going to public places, such as stadiums or churches, in order to stop the spreading of the disease.
Some of the ongoing measures include the constant use of anti-bacterial gel and cleaning surfaces and toys with bleach.
People are also advised to cover their mouths with their forearms, instead of their hands, when coughing or sneezing, to visit the doctor immediately if presenting symptoms and to avoid self-medication.
Macías reported that the number of infected people in hospitals has reduced by 50 percent in comparison to Oct. 2009, when the number was at its highest.
Recent reports regarding the epidemic in Mexico show that there are approximately 72,000 confirmed cases in the country, which, according to Macías, does not come close to the actual number infected people. The report also shows that there have been approximately 1,180 deaths.
He assured that the disease is completely under control in Mexico and that hospitals across the country do not have a large number of H1N1 patients.
“The only hospital the has an unusual number of patients is the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER), but in the rest of the country there is not a significant number of patients,” he said.
There is not a single country in the world that can provide the exact number of H1N1 cases, as it is very difficult and virtually impossible. For this reason, epidemic and clinical studies are performed to provide an estimation of the number of people infected, he said.
As for the H1N1 vaccination campaign, Macías said that Mexico showed the world that it has a good culture of vaccination and that it did not believe the lies regarding the vaccination.
“Most of the people in Mexico responded well, there were no problems in terms of the vaccination, as opposed to developed countries that did have problems. People did not believe in lies. They believed that the H1N1 virus could be prevented with the vaccination and they stood in line to get it,” he said.
“When the campaign began, I thought it would be a lot more difficult. I think that people need to be congratulated,” he concluded. |
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