In a hospital in Argentina, several patients show symptoms of pneumonia. But tests have so far given no information about the pathogen.
San Miguel de Tucumán – Several cases of severe pneumonia have emerged in a private clinic in Argentina. The authorities in Argentina are looking for the cause. Three people have died so far, six other patients showed similar symptoms and were treated, the Tucumán Provincial Ministry of Health announced on Thursday (September 1).
Tests at the renowned Malbrán Institute for Covid-19, hantavirus and several strains of Legionella were initially negative. Further tests for various viruses and bacteria should follow.
Pneumonia in Argentina: According to the Charité virologist, it is “far too early to speculate”
“It’s way too early to speculate. Now we just have to wait for the diagnosis,” wrote the infectiologist Leif Erik Sander from the Charité Berlin, where Christian Drosten also works, on Twitter. “But the fact that medical staff is affected at least makes you sit up and take notice.” All those affected were employees or patients at the Luz Médica clinic in San Miguel de Tucumán.
Authorities in Tucumán reported the cases to the Pan-American Health Organization (Paho). Accordingly, the first patients complained between August 18 and 22 about fever, body and abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Several of those affected were nurses.
Similar to Corona: All sick people belong to a risk group
According to the Ministry of Health, all patients belonged to the risk group: they were smokers or had a history of respiratory diseases, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. It was initially unclear whether transmission from person to person was possible. So far, however, the contact persons of the sick have not developed any symptoms.
At the beginning of the corona pandemic, China was criticized for informing the world too late about the occurrence of lung infections. During the first reports in January it was already clear that a novel corona virus was spreading. (tk/dpa)
