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13 swine flu cases registered in Russia’s North Ossetia, one patient dies

A total of 40 pneumonic patients in condition of medium complexity are undergoing medical treatment in Vladikavkaz-based hospitals

© ITAR-TASS/Alexander Alpatkin

VLADIKAVKAZ, February 16. /TASS/. Thirteen swine flu cases have been registered in Russia’s Caucasian republic of North Ossetia, one patient has died, Tatiana Tsidayeva, North Ossetia’s deputy health minister, told TASS on Monday.

"As of today, one laboratory confirmed death from H1N1 (swine flu) has been registered," she said, adding that five more flu-related deaths had been registered in the republic in 2015.

A total of 40 pneumonic patients in condition of medium complexity are undergoing medical treatment in Vladikavkaz-based hospitals. Three patients are kept at an intensive care ward.

Specialists from the Flu Research Institute (St. Petersburg) told TASS isolated cases of swine flu had been registered across Russia. "This is not an epidemic. These are isolated cases. We have registered other virus strains," an expert from this institute told TASS.

Swine flu is the popular name for influenza (flu) caused by a relatively new strain of influenza virus A. It was responsible for the flu pandemic in 2009-10. The virus is officially known as influenza virus A/H1N1pdm09. Swine flu is contagious, and it spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu. Despite the name, it is not transmitted by eating cooked pork products. Most symptoms are the same as seasonal flu. They can include cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. The most serious complication of the flu is pneumonia. Vaccination is the best way to prevent or reduce the chances of becoming infected with influenza viruses.

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