Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 17 / Trend U.Ismayilova /
Nine of 14 people infected with the swine flu in Azerbaijan were under 18 years old, Especially Dangerous Infectious Diseases Department head at the Health Ministry's Hygiene and Epidemiology Center Elmira Aliyeva said.
One of the infected individuals arrived to the country from France, five from Ukraine, two from England, and one from Turkey. Five people contracted the virus after having contact with these individuals, she said.
Aliyeva added that 12 patients have been hospitalized and two received outpatient treatment. Only one patient arrived from Ukraine was in serious condition with bilateral pneumonia, and is continuing treatment at the Lung Disease Research Institute. He may be discharged tomorrow.
Aliyeva said Azerbaijan will begin vaccinations in December to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccinations will be carried out, mainly among medical staff, customs officers and other persons at risk, particularly chronically ill persons, individuals with weak immune systems and pregnant women in their second and third trimester.
She added that the vaccination will be given on a voluntary basis. Regarding the possible side effects of the vaccination, Aliyeva said the no adverse effects were detected in the latest vaccine.
According to the World Health Organization, so far 6,260 people died as a result of the swine flu in 209 countries worldwide, of which 5,336 facts were not confirmed the presence of A/H1N1.
Azerbaijan has reported 14 swine flu cases. Thirteen have fully recovered.
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