Peru swine flu death toll swells to 98

Peru Health Minister Oscar Ugarte reported Friday that the AH1N1 flu virus claimed its 98th fatality, and confirmed 353 new cases across Peru. In the past week, 18 Peruvians died as a result of the swine flu. According to Ugarte, the latest victims were all at-risk patients that suffered from various conditions, including cerebral palsy, terminal [...]

Survival International: Peru Amazon Indians struck by swine flu ‘for first time’

The first cases of swine flu – also known as the AH1N1 virus – have recently been confirmed among Amazonian Indians, raising experts’ fears of a devastating contagion amongst peoples with no immunity to outside diseases, reported London-based Survival International. Last week, Peru’s Health Ministry reported that seven Matsiguenga tribe natives living along Peru’s Urubamba [...]

Peru swine flu deaths top 40, Health Ministry confirms 164 new cases

Peru Health Minister Oscar Ugarte reported Friday that the AH1N1 flu virus claimed its 40th fatality, a 3-year old child with Down syndrome and suffering from leukemia, and confirmed 164 new cases across Peru. According to Ugarte, the latest victims – including the 3-year old child, a 66-year old woman suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, a [...]

July 28th festivities and parades suspended indefinitely to avoid swine flu epidemic

A day after the Health Ministry confirmed Peru’s twelfth swine flu death, mayors across the Andean country announced the indefinite suspension of festivities, gatherings and parades planned for Peru’s Independence Day on July 28th. Although Peru’s Health Ministry has not officially asked mayors to do so, in San Isidro, as well as in the Lima [...]

Peru moves up mid-term vacation for public schools in response to swine flu spread

Peruvian Education Minister Antonio Chang announced Thursday that Peru’s public school children will start their mid-year vacations two weeks early in an attempt to stem the spread of AH1N1 flu virus. Schools will let out from July 15-31, and resume earlier than usual in August to make up for lost classroom time. The virus is [...]

First swine flu case confirmed in Peru state school

Peru Health Ministry officials have confirmed at least one case of AH1N1 swine flu in a pupil at a state school in the country’s capital, Lima. A 12-year old girl tested positive for the swine flu virus, although she doesn’t know from who or how she contracted it, said the “República de Colombia” High school [...]

Peru confirmed swine flu cases up to 25, “none are serious” Health Minister says

Although the number of confirmed swine flu cases in Peru has risen to 25, “none of them are serious,” said the Andean country’s Health Minister on Monday. If the virus is detected early, it is very treatable, said Health Minister Oscar Ugarte Ubilluz in comments to Radio Nacional. New confirmed cases include those of a [...]

Peru Health Ministry confirms 11 new cases of swine flu, nearly 20 Lima schools temporarily shut down

By Annie Thériault Peru’s Health Ministry reported on Thursday that 11 additional cases of swine flu were confirmed in the Andean country, bringing the total to 16. “In Peru, 11 new cases of the AH1N1 virus have been confirmed,” reads the press release posted on the Health Ministry’s website. “And 8 of these cases correspond [...]

Jorge Chavez International Airport employees to obligatorily use masks, gloves

After Peru’s third case of swine flu was confirmed, employees at Jorge Chavez International Airport were told Wednesday they must use of masks and gloves to help stem a feared pandemic. “We are making the use of masks and gloves compulsory,” Callao Regional Health Manager, José del Carmen Sara told state official news agency Andina. [...]