The FINANCIAL -- The number of deaths caused by the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, has reached 19 in Turkey, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday, signaling a worrying increase in the death rate.

A statement released by the ministry said four new deaths occurred on November 5. “Of our patients who have been undergoing treatment for the pandemic flu, a 28-year-old male, two female patients aged 32 and 33 and a 6-year-old girl have unfortunately lost their lives. With these deaths, the number of people we have lost to the pandemic flu has reached 19,” it said. The ministry's statement also announced that a patient reported dead in Edirne had not in fact died, but was undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of a hospital. The ministry also announced yesterday that about 80,000 people were vaccinated on the first two days that the swine flu vaccination was available. “The vaccination campaign against the pandemic flu started on Nov. 2, 2009 with the vaccination of healthcare professionals and those preparing to go on the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The campaign is still under way, and close to 80,000 were vaccinated on the first two days.”

The ministry also announced yesterday that about 80,000 people were vaccinated on the first two days that the swine flu vaccination was available. “The vaccination campaign against the pandemic flu started on Nov. 2, 2009 with the vaccination of healthcare professionals and those preparing to go on the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The campaign is still under way, and close to 80,000 were vaccinated on the first two days.”

The ministry also said that new vaccine supplies had arrived and risk groups other than those vaccinated on the first two days would also be given the shot starting soon. Meanwhile, an apparent disagreement over the vaccine between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Health Minister Recep Akdağ that started when Erdoğan announced he would not get the shot hours after Akdağ said the prime minister would also be vaccinated on Tuesday seems to have been resolved. The prime minister and the health minister got together on Wednesday evening at the prime minister’s official residence. Speaking to journalists ahead of the meeting, Akdağ told journalists: “We had a small road accident. Those who want can get the vaccine and those who do not are free to abstain.”

Chief EU negotiator Egemen Bağış also made a statement yesterday while talking to journalists ahead of his departure for Greece. In response to a question inquiring whether he was planning to get a swine flu shot, Bağış said: “I am not planning to at this stage, but I think this should be an individual preference. I think everyone should consult with their doctor on the issue and make their own decision.”

"In new diagnoses, a 7-year-old in the city of Niğde was reported to have been infected with the H1N1 virus, according to a statement from the local health directorate. The statement said the patient’s overall condition was good and that the child’s treatment was continuing at home.” It also added that there were no other known cases of the flu so far in Niğde. Meanwhile, a nurse who received a swine flu shot in Bursa was hospitalized after being diagnosed with symptoms of high blood pressure and palpitations. The 21-year-old, identified as Şeyda K., also had an itching sensation and a rash around the area where the vaccine was injected," Today's Zaman reports.

However, Şeyda K.’s reaction was rare, local health official Özcan Akan said. “We have vaccinated 10,000 people here in Bursa so far. This was one in 10,000. It is a normal situation. Such a reaction could have occurred after any shot.” Akan also said her condition was good after hospital treatment. Swine flu vaccinations also started in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) yesterday. The vaccination is available in the emergency rooms of the Girne Dr. Akçiçek, Güzelyurt Cengiz Topel, Lefkoşa Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu and Gazimağusa state hospitals until Monday, Nov. 9.

The vaccinations will be given on a voluntary basis starting with public and private health professionals and members of parliament. KKTC Health Ministry Undersecretary Nuri Gökşin and Ümit Özkıran, a senior ministry official, were among the first to get the shots yesterday.

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