The Ecuadorian Ministry of Health has confirmed 9 fatalities due to the A H1N1 flu virus in Ecuador [July 21, 2009]

Ambato | 1 male | 30 years old | July 2
Cuenca | 1 female | 28 years old | July 7
Quito | 1 female | 42 years old | July 11
Riobamba | 1 male | 74 years old | July 12
Quito | 1 female | 48 years old | July 12
Loja | 1 male | 24 years old | July 14
Alausi | 1 female | 26 years old | July 15
Chunchi | 1 female | 59 years old | July 17
Canar | 1 male | 38 years old | July 17

Source: El Comercio / July 21, 2009

Confirmed swine flu (A H1N1) cases in Ecuador increased to 28 in Ecuador, of which 27 are in the port city of Guayaquil and 1 in Quito. No fatalities to date.

SOURCE: QUITO (AFP)
DATE: MAY 26, 2009

La cifra de casos confirmados de gripe porcina en Ecuador se incrementó a 28 tras ser detectados tres nuevos infectados, sin que el virus A (H1N1) haya dejado hasta ahora muertos en el país, informó el martes el ministerio de Salud.

“Se trata de tres menores vinculados con casos detectados anteriormente en Guayaquil (suroeste)”, señaló la cartera en un comunicado y agregó que también se presentó un caso sospechoso en Quito “ pero todavía no se ha confirmado ” .

El ministerio indicó que “ con los nuevos casos confirmados, hasta este martes en Ecuador hay 28 casos confirmados ”, los cuales están repartidos en 27 en el puerto de Guayaquil y uno en Quito.

Una parte de los contagiados corresponde a contactos secundarios (familiares, compañeros de aulas y amigos) de los primeros casos registrados en colegios de Guayaquil, donde las clases en algunos centros de educación han sido suspendidas, según el ministerio.

“La transmisión se encuentra limitada a grupos específicos, especialmente de jóvenes y niños escolares. También se confirmó un caso en Quito de una persona adulta proveniente del exterior”, anotó.

Mientras que los consulados en Nueva York y en Queens fueron cerrados temporalmente ante la sospecha de que una persona esté infectada por el virus, indicaron el lunes las autoridades.

Entretanto la cancillería señaló en un comunicado que los consulados en Nueva York y Queens “no atenderán durante esta semana, pues hay sospechas de un posible caso de influenza AH1N1 entre el personal” de la legación neoyorquina.

“La funcionaria ecuatoriana que presenta los síntomas de la influenza se encuentra en reposo”, agregó.

Dear clients,

Considering the possible spread of the AH1N1 virus, as a measure of precaution, starting from today all passengers on flights bound for the Galapagos Islands, must wear face masks. On our part, all crew will also apply all precautionary measures to avoid the transmission of the virus.

Estimados clientes:

Considerando la posible propagación del virus AH1N1, como medida de precaución a partir de la presente fecha todos los usuarios que sean embarcados en vuelos con destino a las islas Galápagos, deberán traer mascarillas. Por nuestra parte la tripulación también aplicará todas las normas precautelarías que eviten la transmisión del mencionado virus.

Ante lo expuesto solicito difundir esta información, especialmente para los clientes extranjeros.

En espera de su comprensión y colaboración.

Atentamente,

Gerencia Comercial TAME

Ecuadorian child infected with flu recovers

QUITO, May 19 (Xinhua) — The Ecuadorian child infected with the A/H1N1 flu has completely recovered and will leave quarantine soon, a hospital director said on Tuesday.

The 12-year-old boy was the first registered case of A/H1N1 flu in Ecuador. He was infected during a trip to the United States, the Ecuadorian health ministry said.

“The child is totally recovered,” said Eduardo Sandoval, director at the Infectology Hospital of Guayaquil.

“At the third day after entering the hospital, he received anti-viral treatment. He does not represent any danger for his family, neighbors or community,” he said.

The ministry also checked the crew members of the plane where the child flew and the 161 passengers onboard, as well as airport staff. No one has shown the symptom of infection yet.

Breaking news …. local Ecuadorian news sources confirm the first case of A/H1N1, in the port city of Guayaquil.

More news to follow as details become available.

QUITO -(Dow Jones)- Ecuador’s government declared a health emergency on Tuesday to prevent cases of a deadly swine flu, a Health Ministry official told Dow Jones Newswires.

“We are very concerned about the situation,” Marcelo Aguilar said in an interview. “No cases of swine flu have been detected in Ecuador, but we want to take preventive measures to be prepared if it is necessary.”

Aguilar asked people to keep calm because “there is no outbreak here.”

The emergency will allow for extraordinary spending on preventive measures of around $5 million, including the purchase of medicines and a public service campaign, a ministry official said.

Ecuador’s government has also placed a temporary ban on imports of pigs and pork products from the U.S. and Mexico and may also ban imports from Canada.

Doctors are screening passengers arriving at Ecuador’s airports and seaports if they have been in Mexico or the U.S. for signs of infection from the virus.

Doctors are working 24 hours a day at the international airports of Mariscal Sucre, in Quito, and Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport, in Guayaquil, to carry out medical checks on passengers with flulike symptoms.

-By Mercedes Alvaro, Dow Jones Newswires

You will note that there are currently NO reported cases of swine flu in Ecuador to date [April 27, 2009]. We will keep you up to date with any reports. Colombia currently has 12 suspected cases, while Brazil has one suspected case.

Although I found this excellent site to check various countries for such diseases as malaria, yellow fever etc, it is an excellent site to track the recent outbreak of swine flu (gripe porcina in Spanish).

SITE: GLOBAL DISEASE ALERT MAP

URL: http://healthmap.org/en

Another excellent resource for health-related issue like swine flu, go to the World Health Organization site: http://www.who.int/en/.