Romania To Supplement Funds For Medical Equipment, Medicines, Vaccines

CSAT analyzed in its meeting Tuesday the AH1N1 virus situation, different scenarios of pandemic evolution and measures to be taken by the government, the president’s office said in a press release Tuesday.

„Medically speaking, the situation in Romania is under control, given the efficiency in spotting and keeping swine flu outbreaks under control and the thorough monitoring by epidemiology experts. The situation in Romania is by far better than that in other European Union member states or neighboring countries,” the press release also read.

Romania has so far registered 650 cases of infection with the AH1N1 virus. All patients received antiviral medicines and were either hospitalized or quarantined at home. So far, no one in Romania has died from the illness, according to the press release.

Romania’s Health Ministry state secretary Adrian Streinu-Cercel, who resigned his position Tuesday, said the country should be prepared for 3,300 to 6,000 fatalities because of the AH1N1 flu.

Romania has put all its hospitals under quarantine to help prevent the spread of the virus and will start a vaccination campaign using a locally-made vaccine later this month.

Worldwide, 18 deaths from the swine flu have been recently reported, taking the global death toll to 6,171.