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Health authorities in Minsk “ready” for second flu wave

The health authorities in Minsk are ready for a second wave of cases of the A(H1N1) virus, also known as swine flu, Mikhail Tsitsyankow, deputy chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, said at a news conference last week.

Experts predict that the flu season, which peaked in the city in November, will return in late January or early February.

The official claimed that the city’s health authorities had taken proper steps to tackle the first outbreak of swine flu earlier this year, extending the fall school vacation by more than a week, requiring outpatient clinics to work longer hours and securing the quick hospitalization of all patients displaying pneumonia symptoms.

Mr. Tsitsyankow said that a run on Minsk pharmacies caused by the swine flu scare in late October and early November was the only serious problem during the outbreak.

He suggested that people do more exercise and engage in winter sports to boost their immunity amid the flu season. //BelaPAN