Argentine health authorities are investigating an outbreak of pneumonia in Tucumán

Bloomberg – Argentine health authorities are investigating an outbreak of pneumonia Of unknown origin it has caused three deaths out of the nine cases identified so far.

The cases were concentrated in a private clinic in San Miguel de Tucumán, the fifth largest city in Argentina, located in the northwest of the country. In a statement posted on its website, the local health ministry said symptoms in the registered cases started between August 18 and 22.

Of the nine patients identified, three have died, three have been hospitalized and one is in home isolation in stable condition.The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in an email. Patients developed symptoms including fever, muscle aches, abdominal pain and shortness of breath, according to the American Health Organization (PAHO), which serves as the WHO’s regional office for the Americas.

Patient samples have been tested by local public health authorities for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and influenza, among other factors. Viral, bacterial and fungalAccording to a statement issued by the Pan American Health Organization. So far, all tests have come back negative, which means that the cause of the pneumonia has not yet been determined.

A report released on August 30 identified six patients, all of whom were in contact with each other in the clinic. The first group consisted of five health workers and a patient who was hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the health center. On September 1, three more health care workers were found ill.

Several infectious disease experts said on social media that the concentration of cases among health care workers could indicate person-to-person spread of the pathogen, which could be cause for concern.

The two organizations said the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization were cooperating in the investigation and providing support to local health authorities. The World Health Organization said that local health authorities are monitoring the cases and the specific control measures in the concerned health centre.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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