Authorities are speeding up monitoring measures at TadaU International Airport in Mandalay Region, for prevention of influenza-like illness- ILI and severe acute respiratory infection-SARI.
Fever screening tasks together with public educative campaigns are being carried out by the Public Health Department at the airport.
Health authorities from China, a neighbouring country of Myanmar, announced that the spread of a pneumonia virus killed over 40 people, according to international media.
The Ministry of Health and Sports has been monitoring ILI outbreak at eight public hospitals since 2017. In 2019, monitoring tasks were extended at more hospitals bringing the total number to 15 such as North Oakkalapa Hospital, Insein Hospital, Hlinethaya Hospital and other hospitals in various states and regions.
The ministry announced that from January to October 18, of 561 influenza-like illness-ILI cases, there were 127 A (H1N1) cases, 24 A (H3N2) cases and 54 influenza B cases. Of 1,347 severe acute respiratory infection-SARI cases, there were 451 A (H1N1) cases, 42 A (H3N2) cases and 81 influenza B cases.
The transmission of seasonal influenza among those with chronic diseases, the elderly and infants are more severe. From January to September 9, there were 110 reported deaths. During this period, the death of patients aged between 15 and 65 is the highest, accounting for 44 per cent of the total figure. A total of 88 patients with chronic diseases died, making up 80 per cent of the total figure. The high death toll is associated with late hospitalization.
