Note: Update on 3/26/11 Follow Up On Juarez Reports identifies illness as H1N1
# 5439
Given the sudden emergence of a novel H1N1 pandemic virus out of Mexico almost exactly 2 years ago, one can understand a heightened sense of vigilance whenever we begin to hear of unusual respiratory ailments coming out of that region of the world.
Yesterday, newshounds on FluTrackers began to pick up multiple news reports on what has been called an `atypical pneumonia’ that has claimed the life of a healthy 28 year-old police officer, and sickened a number of other officers.
In just over 12 hours, nearly a dozen news reports have been gathered (and machine translated) by newshounds Tonka, CopsitoSP, Alert, and Tetano.
The thread with these reports may be accessed here.
`Atypical Pneumonia’ is generally used to describe several specific bacterial infections; including Legionella pneumophila , Mycoplasma pneumoniae , and Chlamydophila pneumoniae.
Pneumonia due to mycoplasma and chlamydophila bacteria is generally mild, while legionella can often produce more serious illness – particularly in older patients, smokers, or those with chronic illnesses.
But it isn’t at all clear from these translated newspaper articles whether these illnesses stem from these relatively common bacterial infections, or perhaps from something more unusual.
The first report calls it a rare, and mystifying illness. It also calls it a `virus’, although that may simply be a non-exact description or an artifact of translation.
This from Excelsior.com.
Attacks agents Ciudad Juárez a deadly virus ...
One died and three have the same symptoms of a rare disease. There is a commander in critical condition
Carlos Coria Rivas / CorrespondentCHIHUAHUA, March 23 .- A rare viral disease attacked several municipal traffic police in Ciudad Juarez, killing one, while three have the same symptoms.
The commander of the Eastern sector, Guadalupe Gutiérrez Palma, was reported in critical condition and two more agents are under observation have the same disease.
At a press conference, authorities of the municipality, headed by Dr. Ariel Díaz de León, they were puzzled by the unknown origin and characteristics of evil.
Since that article yesterday, we’ve seen a steady stream of reports that have suggested everything from H1N1, to bacteria, to fungi (and even cobalt poisoning) as potential causes of these illnesses.
The latest report suggests an increased level of concern by the local government, although the nature of the illness has yet to be announced.
Enact health fence today for deadly virus outbreak
F. CABRERA / M. VARGAS
2011-03-24 00:00:12
After the reported death of a Transit agent caused as a result of an alleged fulminant atypical pneumonia and more people infected by a virus not yet identified, the state government decreed the establishment of a local health fence, it was learned unofficially .
A source said the state governor, Cesar Duarte Jaquez and federal health secretary, José Ángel Córdova moved yesterday evening to this city to personally assess the problem and atypical outbreaks suddenly appeared and claimed that a person's life.
For as yet unknown health care plan will be implemented and are expected today during the day the announcement is official, after an extraordinary meeting to be called the health departments of the three levels of government.
For a full translation visit this FluTrackers link.
The latest reports raise the number of suspect cases to 14, with at least one in critical condition, and with 1 fatality.
The Mexican media and local officials appear to be taking these reports seriously, although they may yet end up being due to something fairly common, like Legionella or H1N1.
Hopefully we’ll get some test results soon that will clear up this mystery.
