Romania Must Be Ready For 3,300-6,000 Flu Fatalities – Former State Secretary

"We need to use every intensive care unit in the vicinity of hospitals for infectious diseases," Streinu Cercel told deputies in the Parliament commission on health, adding that there are certain places in Romania 46 kilometers away from the nearest intensive care unit.

Streinu Cercel also told deputies about the structure of the pandemic virus, pointing out that 30% of its genetic structure comes from the swine flu virus, 30% from the bird flu virus and the rest from the human flu virus, "which allows it to spread from human to human."

He said the virus has recently progressed in virulence and aggression, and now there is a risk of fatalities, from 3,300 up to 6,000, which Romania must be prepared to deal with.

Streinu Cercel, who resigned his state secretary position earlier Tuesday, said a World Bank program to support intensive care units was started in 2006 and is now completed. The equipment may arrive in the country in December.

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