The Algerian Ministry of Health in a statement confirmed Wednesday that three more death cases of fatal influenza A/H1N1, bringing the total number of deaths caused by A/H1N1 to seven people in Algeria, Xinhua reported.
The first case concerns a young woman aged 21, hospitalized in a referral service in Biskra in a state of severe respiratory distress, while the other two cases involved two pregnant women, aged 33 and 43, hospitalized in institutions of Algiers for a severe flu symptoms.
In the case of women aged 33, the statement said she was pregnant at term to 34 weeks and had a high risk pregnancy. She was hospitalized in an institution of Algiers for a severe flu symptoms.
For women aged 43, she was 24 weeks pregnant and also had a high risk pregnancy. The three deceased were under antiviral treatment, according to the statement.
The Algerian official said that pregnant women are " particularly" vulnerable because of their weakened immune system induced by pregnancy.
Prophylactic measures foreseen in the national plan against pandemic A/H1N1 flu have been initiated and epidemiological investigations around these cases are continuing, the source added.
The Ministry of Health announced that 36 new cases of A/H1N1 were confirmed Tuesday, including one fatal case, bringing to 335 the total number of cases recorded so far in the country, including four deaths.