Ministry is investigating deaths
“Pneumonia of unknown cause” in Argentina
09/01/2022, 8:28 p.m
No corona virus, no flu viruses and no hantaviruses either: the Argentine authorities are puzzled regarding the accumulation of deaths in a private clinic. Nine infections have been recorded so far. Three patients have died.
According to the health authorities, three people in Argentina have died of “pneumonia of unknown cause”. As the health minister of the northwestern province of Tucumán, Luis Medina Ruiz, announced, nine cases of the respiratory disease were found in a private clinic there. Eight of the sick are or were nurses at the clinic. Three of those infected have died since Monday.
The health authorities are now trying to find out which pathogen triggers the pneumonia. During the investigations in a renowned laboratory in the capital Buenos Aires, the corona virus, influenza A and B flu viruses and hantaviruses were already ruled out as possible causes.
According to the information, the three deceased are two nurses and a 70-year-old patient who had been admitted to the clinic for an operation.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Health said that in addition to a pathogen, possible “toxic” and “environmental causes” would also be checked. The water and air conditioning systems would be examined.
