Recenti progressi in medicina
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During the last months of 2003, outbreaks of avian flu caused by influenza A (H5N1) virus were described in eight Asian countries, and has paralleled an epidemic of human influenza caused by the same avian virus A (H5N1). Between December 26, 2003 and October 13, 2005, there had been 117 documented human infections and 60 deaths (mortality, 51%) in four Asian countries: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. ⋯ Human-to-human transmission of H5N1 virus has been suggested in several household clusters, but it seems very uncommon at present. All the viral genes of human H5N1 isolates were of avian influenza origin, which indicates absence of reassortment with human influenza viruses, but H5N1 continue to evolve and persistent monitoring is requested to identify any increase in viral adaptation to man, which could lead to a human pandemic.
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At present, in our country, health care for patients in a critical condition is deficient, especially for those in a traumatised state, as well as for those with conditions which worsen suddenly and rapidly (be they conditions which become acute or which are chronic but then become serious). In all the western industrialised countries, traumas represent the most frequent cause of death among the population under 40 years. ⋯ From the Governmental/Regional Conference which took place in 2003, a directive was issued whose scope covered "Guidelines regarding the formation and ongoing, up-to-date training for personnel working in the emergency departments". In order to bring this training of the medical personnel up to speed so that the present clinical and organisational requirements at the various levels within the emergency/urgent intervention system can be met, the principal scientific companies working in the emergency/urgent need sector urgently ask for the intervention of the governmental bodies responsible for the School for Specialisation in Emergency Medicine.