Health Emergency in Buenos Aires
July 2, 2009
People wearing masks as preventive measures against the H1N1 flu talk at a public square in Buenos Aires July 1, 2009. The flu, which first flared in Mexico but has since subsided there, is spreading in Argentina during the southern hemisphere winter, killing at least 43 people and forcing health officials to extend school vacations. REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian (ARGENTINA HEALTH)
Buenos Aires declared a health emergency today following the deaths of 26 people from the H1N1 virus. As a result of this emergency, schools will be closed for an additional two weeks during their winter recess starting July 20th.
While the Health Ministry is claiming 26 are dead, local press reports suggest that this number is much greater. Argentina is currently the country with the third highest death rate from this outbreak following the United States and Mexico.
Following on the heels of the recent dengue outbreak, this outbreak has brought to light the serious inadequacies with the national health system. These inadequacies are largely due to the ever present economic crises that plaque Argentina.
Students are being asked to stay inside their houses and avoid groups of people for the entire month that they are out of school. If students staying home all day is the solution to the outbreak, then we should expect further contamination and widespread infection.
-Daniel Smart
