The
death toll in Brazil this year from influenza A had surged to 411 by April 30,
a leap of 41 percent over what it had been just the week before, according to a
Health Ministry bulletin.
In two weeks it increased by 78.69 percent over the 230 deaths from influenza A
registered up to April 16, and in one month rose by 168 percent over the 153
fatalities registered up to April 2, according to the latest bulletin on type A
flu, which is transmitted by the H1N1 virus.
The rapidly spreading illness forced the government 10 days ago to launch an
intense vaccination campaign nationwide, while some states had to start their
campaigns earlier to deal with all the Brazilians lining up to be vaccinated.
According to the latest Health Ministry bulletin, the number of cases of acute
respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, caused by the H1N1 virus, is gradually
increasing, from 686 up to April 2, to 1,365 by April 16 and 2,085 by April 30.
The figures are significantly higher than in all of 2015, when Brazil
registered 141 cases of infection by the H1N1 virus and 36 deaths from
complications caused by that virus.
Sao Paulo, the most heavily populated state in Brazil, has been hit hardest by
the type A flu, with 202 deaths, almost half of all the fatalities registered
nationwide.
Last April 30 the government launched a national vaccination campaign aiming to
vaccinate close to 49.8 million people, chiefly children, seniors, healthcare
professionals, carriers of chronic illnesses, pregnant women and Indians.
Combating the H1N1 virus is now a particular priority for Brazil, along with
the fight against Zika, dengue and Chikungunya, viruses transmitted by the
Aedes aegypti mosquito, as the country prepares to host the Olympic Games next
August in Rio de Janeiro. ■
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