- Hypotheses of causes caused by agents of covid-19, influenza, flu and other known viral, bacterial and fungal agents were ruled out (Pan American Health Organization); (Regional Ministry of Health).
- Symptoms included: fever, muscle pain, abdominal pain and shortness of breath.
- Of the 9 patients with pneumonia, 3 died, another 3 are hospitalized and one is in home isolation.
The identified cases are concentrated in a private medical clinic, located in the city of San Miguel de Tucumán, the 5th largest in Argentina. The set of cases and the risk of further spread of the disease worry the country's health and health authorities. Last Thursday (01) the Argentine Minister of Health said that “the origin of the outbreak” is still “in the process of investigation”.
ADVERTISING
How did the outbreak evolve?
- The first 6 cases were registered on August 30th. All of them had had contact with each other at the clinic, including 5 health professionals and one hospitalized.
- Another 3 healthcare professionals were diagnosed with the disease on September 1st.
- The first symptoms reported among patients date from August 18 to 22, according to the city's Ministry of Health.
Experts and health entities also mobilized in support of Argentine authorities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Measures include, according to the Ministry of Public Health of San Miguel de Tucumán:
- tracking contacts made by patients
- adoption of health protocols in the medical clinic in which the majority of cases were identified
Curto Curatorship
- Mysterious pneumonia causes 3rd death in Argentina (Estadão)
- Health authorities investigate pneumonia cluster in Argentina (Bloomberg)
Top photo: Jose-Luis Olivares, MIT and iStockphoto
