H1N1 Flu Claims Two Lives in Vicenza Hospital
The San Bortolo hospital in Vicenza is facing a serious crisis as two individuals have succumbed to the H1N1 flu within hours of each other. The first victim, a 55-year-old man with pre-existing serious medical conditions, passed away on Sunday, January 7th. The second death occurred on Monday morning, January 8th, when a 47-year-old man who also suffered from previous health issues lost his life. Both individuals had not received the flu vaccine.
Currently, the hospital has four more patients in the intensive care unit, all of whom are in critical condition. Among them is a woman who is undergoing extracorporeal circulation, a treatment technique used to filter and oxygenate the patient’s blood. These patients, aged between 50 and 70, primarily reside in the capital and western area of Arzignano.
Dr. Vinicio Danzi, head of the intensive care unit, expressed his concerns about the influx of critical A/H1N1 cases, stating “it’s worrying” and noting that this is the first time he has seen such a significant number of critical cases associated with this strain of flu.
In response to the outbreak, Dr. Danzi emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating that the only way to combat the viral infection is to get vaccinated for the flu, as the serum also covers the swine variant. He stressed the severity of the virus, which can lead to interstitial pneumonia similar to that caused by Covid-19 and can result in respiratory failure and potential fatality.
The Veneto Region’s Prevention Directorate released a statement clarifying that this flu season is characterized by the circulation of the H1N1 pdm09 virus, which has been prevalent in all influenza seasons since 2009. They emphasized the importance of surveillance by healthcare professionals and reassured the public that the flu strain is included in the available vaccine for at-risk individuals.
The rising number of critical cases in the hospital and the tragic deaths serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination and the potential severity of the H1N1 flu virus.