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Ministry fears dozens of kids at Bnei Brak institution have swine flu

At least 50 children at 'Aleh' educational institution suffering from flu-like symptoms treated with Tamiflu as part of preventive treatment; three of them diagnosed with H1N1 virus. Two infants in Petach Tikva, one adult man in Jerusalem also suspected of having swine flu

At least 50 children have apparently contracted the H1N1 virus, also called swine flu, at the "Aleh" educational institution in the central Israel city of Bnei Brak, the Health Ministry said Monday.

 

They are all said to be in mild condition.

 

The Ministry said three of the children have been diagnosed with the disease, while the rest, who are suffering from flu-like symptoms, have apparently also contracted the virus.

 

Some 160 children, aged 2-16, attend the school. About half of them live on school grounds. Those who do not were asked to remain at home in the coming days.

 

Children suspected of contracting the H1N1 virus were treated with the Tamiflu antiviral medication as part of the preventive treatment.

 

Earlier Monday, it was reported that an autopsy performed on the body of 35-year-old Eilat resident Shimon Azran, who died over the weekend, revealed he was infected with swine flu. Health Ministry officials estimated the man died of complications associated with the virus. 

 

Two infants, both two months old, and an adult man are hospitalized in serious condition due to swine flu complications. Another infant, also two months old,

 

One of the infants, a baby boy, has been hospitalized for the past few days at Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petach Tikva. He is on a respirator and is in serious, but stable, condition.

 

According to Dr. Sheinfeld, chief of the hospital's intensive care unit, the infant was in serious condition when he was admitted to the hospital on Saturday: "He arrived with signs of respiratory infection and cessation of breathing. Since then, he has been on a ventilator. The baby was born prematurely. He was apparently infected by one of his family members suffering from a flu-like disease who was diagnosed yesterday. He is quarantined in the hospital and is being treated with Tamiflu. I hope that we will be able to take him off the respirator soon."

 

A two-month old baby girl is also hospitalized at Schneider. It is still unclear if she has contracted swine flu. Blood samples were taken from her Monday and sent to lab for a diagnosis. According to Dr. Sheinfeld, this baby was also born prematurely and is also afflicted with cessation of breathing.

 

A 50-year-old man was hospitalized Monday at Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem following swine-flu-related conditions. The man, a diabetic suffering from severe obesity, is in serious condition. He also is on a respirator.

 

Sunday evening saw dozens of people arrive at Eilat's Yoseftal Hospital out of fear that they have contracted swine flu.

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.27.09, 17:01
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