A child aged six died from AH1N1 influenza several days ago. The boy is a foreigner and came to visit his relatives in Chisinau together with his mother, IPN reports.

In the January 13 meeting of officials of Chisinau services and divisions, General Social Assistance and Health Division head Tatiana Bucharski said the boy felt sick on December 31. His mother, who is a Moldovan national, took him to a doctor, but initially refused admission to the hospital. When she took the child to a doctor the second time, the boy was in a serious state. He received treatment, but his state of health worsened and he died at the Mother and Child Institute on January 8. The woman said her child came healthy to Moldova, but his state of health showed he was already sick.

The doctors examined all the members of the host family and a child aged four was hospitalized. His state of health is now satisfactory. The boy’s mother is also receiving treatment. None of the involved persons was vaccinated against flu.

A number of 34 clinical cases of flu were recorded in the municipality of Chisinau last week. The virus was confirmed in three of them. One of the cases is of the AH1N1 influence type, while the other two are of the H3N2 type. The persons are in a medium serious state and continue to receive treatment.

Also last week, the public and private health facilities reported 1,823 new cases of acute upper respiratory tract infections. The figure is by about 6% higher than in the same period last season. The children younger than four remain the most affected ones. More than 60 persons were hospitalized with infections in the period.

To prevent the spread of flu and respiratory infections, one should see a doctor on the first symptoms of diseases. The sick persons should be isolated at home and should wear protection masks. The rooms should be ventilated and disinfected. The hands should be washed with soap and water and the intake of fluids should be increased.