Bariloche has recorded three cases of hantavirus so far this year. The last diagnosis was reported over the weekend and caused the death of a 43-year-old man from Bariloche. At 5 a.m. on Saturday, the patient was admitted to the Ramón Carrillo Hospital ward with respiratory failure. He died nine hours later.
The man, originally from western Bariloche, had symptoms, such as fever, body pain and diarrhea, since October 24. But he went to the guard only when he could no longer breathe.
«When he was admitted with severe respiratory failure, a case of hantavirus was suspected. He was admitted to the Intensive Care area and at noon, the diagnosis was confirmed. He died at 14«explained Rodrigo Bustamante, veterinary doctor in the Epidemiology Area of the Bariloche hospital.
The man was a bricklayer and did land clearing. At the hospital, he mentioned that he had been cleaning the garden at his house. “Outdoor activities, but he had been subjected to several risky situations,” Bustamente explained.
After confirming the diagnosis, the health authorities defined the isolation of two relatives of the victim – cohabitants – and carried out clinical monitoring of other people who did not live with him.
“Normal” parameters
It is about the third case of hantavirus so far this year. According to Bustamante, “we are within the expected parameters, two to four diagnoses per year. And it is even more expected at this time of year when cleaning, pruning and weeding tasks are resumed since we expose ourselves more to the virus.
Bustamente recommended using an N95 mask in case of weeding, cutting firewood or collecting fruits. “It’s uncomfortable, but it can save your life,” he said.
The first case of the year was recorded in March with the death of a 39-year-old woman. He had taken a hike through Brazo Tristeza that is not considered “a high-risk activity.” He started with mild symptoms on a Thursday, the next day he registered a fever and on Sunday he went to the emergency room with breathing difficulties. He died hours later.
The second case corresponded to a 15-year-old boy from Bariloche who evolved favorably. The authorities were also unable to understand how he contracted the disease. What was striking, on the other hand, was that the case was registered in August. “He lives between the city center and El Alto, he attends an urban school and all his activities take place in the urban area. He only commented that he went to the beach to drink mate, but it is something that all people from Bariloche do,” Bustamante explained on that occasion.
