AH1N1 virus: Algeria counts 38 deaths and 607 confirmed cases

Two new swine flu deaths has been registered in Algeria, bringing the total number of deaths to 38 and 607 confirmed cases of AH1N1 virus, said the Ministry of Health, Population and Hospital Reforms Wednesday.

The two victims are a 34-year woman suffering from chronic heart disease, and a man in his sixties suffering respiratory symptoms.

The ministry confirmed during a press conference that the the number of confirmed cases which were obliged to stay in hospital reach 607 cases and the number of injuries 8000 across the country, underwent treatment with « Alastamifer », which is for free with a prescription in all the pharmacies beginning of next week.

The Ministry of Health insisted on the need for anti swine flu vaccination in order to prevent the spread of  AH1N1 virus.

The ministry stressed that all kinds of vaccines may casue side effects, however, they have a lot of preventive benefits .

In the same context, the ministry stressed that 18 million and 492 thousand doses of anti-swine flu vaccine have been used in Canada, where tjhe production, as 172 thousand doses have been rejected for non-validity.

The ministry also confirmed that the vaccination campaign will begin immediately after the issuance of the compliance certificate by the Algerian laboratories , as the central administration is not allowed to determine the date of control and analysis.