Epidemiological and transmissibility analysis of influenza A(H1N1)v in a southern hemisphere setting: Peru

We present a preliminary analysis of 1,771 confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1)v reported in Peru by 17 July including the frequency of the clinical characteristics, the spatial and age distribution of the cases and the estimate of the transmission potential. Age-specific frequency of cases was highest among school age children and young adults, with the lowest frequency of cases among seniors, a pattern that is consistent with reports from other countries. Estimates of the reproduction number lie in the range of 1.2 to 1.7, which is broadly consistent with previous estimates for this pandemic in other regions. Validation of these estimates will be possible as additional data become available

Changes in the Viral Distribution Pattern after the Appearance of the Novel Influenza A H1N1 (pH1N1) Virus in Influenza-Like Illness Patients in Peru

Background: We describe the temporal variation in viral agents detected in influenza like illness (ILI) patients before and after the appearance of the ongoing pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) in Peru between 4-January and 13-July 2009. Methods: At the health centers, one oropharyngeal swab was obtained for viral isolation. From epidemiological week (EW) 1 to 18, at the US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment (NMRCD) in Lima, the specimens were inoculated into four cell lines for virus isolation. In addition, from EW 19 to 28, the specimens were also analyzed by real time-polymerase-chainreaction (rRT-PCR). Results: We enrolled 2,872 patients: 1,422 cases before the appearance of the pH1N1 virus, and 1,450 during the pandemic. Non-pH1N1 influenza A virus was the predominant viral strain circulating in Peru through (EW) 18, representing 57.8% of the confirmed cases; however, this predominance shifted to pH1N1 (51.5%) from EW 19–28. During this study period, most of pH1N1 cases were diagnosed in the capital city (Lima) followed by other cities including Cusco and Trujillo. In contrast, novel influenza cases were essentially absent in the tropical rain forest (jungle) cities during our study period. The city of Iquitos (Jungle) had the highest number of influenza B cases and only one pH1N1 case. Conclusions: The viral distribution in Peru changed upon the introduction of the pH1N1 virus compared to previous months. Although influenza A viruses continue to be the predominant viral pathogen, the pH1N1 virus predominated over the other influenza A viruses

Ethical principles in occupational therapy intervention

For 2,500 years, the medical profession has created a body of ethical principles. Adapting to differeft historical and sociological circumstances, it has driven the practice of health professionals and constitutes a compilation of the rights and duties of doctors and patients.These principles represent the embryo of an emergening human science known as Bioethics. From the impulse of the scientific paradigm, a set of tasks and cares that were included in what was called charity started to be classified in a group of new proffesions devoted to the "methodical" care of patients and the underprivileged. Several new professions sprung up, including Occupational Therapy. From then on, the practice of the occupational therapist has remained protected by ethical principles that have traditionally monitored and driven the medical practice.This article first summarizes the historical evolution of the different ethical codes used by health professionals, emphasizing those aspects with a greater influence in the configuration of the ethical codes connected with occupational therapy.Secondly, we analyse the way occupational therapy has integrated the ethical principles of the medical practice in its own intervention. The main ethical guidelines used in the field are the ones proposed by the American Association of Occupational Therapy (AOTA), the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), and the Council of Occupational Therapists for the European Countries (COTEC).Finally, we point out some of the difficulties and bioethcal challenges faced by occupational therapist