Mexican Gov’t Reports 421 Flu Deaths In 2014

A total of 421 people died from influenza between Jan. 1 and Feb. 7 in Mexico, the Health Secretariat said.

Of the total deaths registered during the period, 390 were from the AH1N1 strain, two from the AH3N2 virus, one from type B influenza and the remaining 28 deaths from other strains of the virus.

Laboratory tests have confirmed 3,679 influenza cases since Jan. 1, of which 3,114 were of the AH1N1 strain, 193 of the AH3N2 type, 57 of the type B influenza virus and 315 of other strains, the secretariat said.

Two deaths were registered between Jan. 31 and Feb. 7, compared with 23 the previous week and 156 between Jan. 5 and Jan. 11, the deadliest week of the 2014 flu season, the secretariat said.

The infection and death figures will be adjusted as laboratory results are received, the Health Secretariat said.

Adults between the ages of 35 and 55 who suffer from chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, are hardest hit by the seasonal flu outbreak, health officials said.

The AH1N1 flu virus responsible for the 2009 pandemic is now a seasonal virus, the secretariat said.

The AH1N1 influenza strain was detected in Mexico between March and April 2009.

Around 1,300 people died and more than 70,000 were infected by AH1N1 in Mexico, where a health alert was kept in place until June 29, 2010.

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