PESTILENCE WATCH:Number of deaths from flu up 40% last winter

Last winter saw a steep increase in the pneumonia mortality rate, especially in the Tel Aviv region, according to a report released yesterday by the Health Ministry.The report, prepared at the Israel Center for Disease Control, indicates that the number of deaths from complications stemming from influenza increased more than 40 percent, as compared with the winter of 2005-06. According to ICDC director Prof. Manfred Green,the mortality rate this past winter was similar to the winter rate two years ago, with only a slight rise in the number of deaths.Green said that most of the deaths from pneumonia were among elderly patients. Health officials observed yesterday that many Israelis chose not to get flu shots this past winter,because of panic ignited by reports of several people in the country dying shortly after receiving the immunization.They added, however, that the mortality rate from influenza complications, which can include pneumonia, was similar to that two winters ago, when many received flu shots.Most flu cases occurred in the second half of December 2006 and January 2007.Based on Health Ministry data, which was gathered from the health maintenance organizations and several hospitals throughout Israel,the ratio of patients seeking treatment for flu symptoms was 35 per 10,000 in the months of December 2006 and January 2007.For Israelis between the ages of 2 and 18, the ratio of patients seeking treatment for flu symptoms was 45 per 10,000.The main influenza virus strain that hit Israel last winter was the A (H3N2).Green said that in anticipation of the coming season, the Health Ministry had directed the HMOs to launch informational campaigns ahead of October, when flu shots are administered, to encourage the public to go to their local clinics to be immunized.
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