Two dead from pneumonia of unknown origin in Argentina-NIUS
The outbreak has occurred in a hospital in Tucumán and infected one patient and five health workers
All have tested negative for covid-19 and influenza A and B
The first case was detected on August 22 and no further infections have been recorded
The Ministry of Public Health of the Argentine province of Tucumán announced this Wednesday the death of a second person infected by a virus until now unknown that caused bilateral pneumonia.
“We have detected six patients undergoing a bilateral pneumonia, dand of which one –belonging to the health personnel– died last Monday, four are seriously hospitalized, and one is in home isolation,” the province’s Minister of Health, Luis Medina Ruiz, said at a press conference before for the second death to become known.
All those infected began to present symptoms between August 18 and 22 and have been tested for COVID-19, Influenza, Influenza A and even B, giving all the tests negative, as detailed by Medina in statements to Public TV.
Health workers and a patient in a hospital
“Possibly it is an infectious etiological agent (a virus), and we must demonstrate that and find out what it is, if it is a viral infectious germ of not so severe contagion,” said the provincial Minister of Health, adding that since on August 22 last there are no new patients with this picture.
In addition, the health authorities are working to carry out the investigation of the outbreak, which includes the follow-up of the contacts of the cases and specific control actions in the health center where the outbreak arose, according to the ministry in a statement.
All the registered cases correspond to five health workers and a patient from the intensive care service of the private hospital of San Miguel de Tucumán.
.
