Preventive measures against ARVI and influenza should be strengthened

Robert Takaev, the Chief State Doctor has signed the decree "About strengthening of measures against influenza and acute respiratory infections for the epidemiologic season of 2009-2010".

We remind that growth of ARVI morbidity rate is going on in Ufa. According to the Directorate of the Russian Agency for Health and Consumer Rights for RB, 57 000 people throughout the republic came down with ARVI over the period from November 2 to November 8, 67% of them is children aged up to 17 years. The morbidity rate has increased 2.4-fold.

The number of cases in Ufa has exceeded the epidemic threshold 4.3 times.

As of November 9, 15 laboratory-confirmed A (H1N1) influenza cases are registered in Bashkortostan, 10 of them are imported.

In order to strengthen measures against ARVI and influenza epidemic in Bashkortostan, the Chief State Doctor has ordered heads of municipal and city administrations to prohibit holding mass events. In case it is impossible to prohibit them, people participating in these events should wear breath guards.

Heads of municipalities are also recommended to coordinate work of drugstores in order to provide enough amounts of prophylactic drugs and treatment medicine for influenza and ARVI.

Heads of enterprises and organizations are to organize work in winter conditions with observation of thermal regime in buildings and in the places of work, complete immunization of employees and provide 100% vaccination of workers of pig-breeding and poultry farms.

Heads of transport enterprises are recommended to insist on wearing breath guards by fare collectors and on regular wet cleaning of passenger saloons.

Minister of Health RB is to timely provide preventive and treatment facilities with pandemic influenza vaccine and to set control over the course of immunization of the population.