🧵San Miguel de Tucumán 🇦🇷 "mystery pneumonia" outbreak, what we know and don't know about it.
Since this caught global attention today, I'm going to summarize the facts we know so far.
The Public Health Minister reported the event on AUG 30th:
msptucuman.gov.ar/comunicado-ofi…
1/n
Since this caught global attention today, I'm going to summarize the facts we know so far.
The Public Health Minister reported the event on AUG 30th:
msptucuman.gov.ar/comunicado-ofi…
1/n
2/
"We considered COVID and Influenza, both A and B; even Hantavirus, but through some research they have been ruled out".
They also considered some extra bacteria and viruses through FilmArray tech.
So, I assume they used the BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Respiratory 2.1 plus Panel:
"We considered COVID and Influenza, both A and B; even Hantavirus, but through some research they have been ruled out".
They also considered some extra bacteria and viruses through FilmArray tech.
So, I assume they used the BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Respiratory 2.1 plus Panel:
3/ Therefore, all the pathogens listed above + Hantavirus, have already been ruled out.
What abt the cases?
2 of them were hospitalized in a private medical center
2 more in a public hospital
1 woman was isolated at home
The hospitalized required Mechanical Ventilation.
What abt the cases?
2 of them were hospitalized in a private medical center
2 more in a public hospital
1 woman was isolated at home
The hospitalized required Mechanical Ventilation.
4/ On AUG 31st, the Ministry of Health reported "the death of one of the patients linked to the pneumonia outbreak, whose etiology is under investigation".
msptucuman.gov.ar/comunicado-ofi…
He was a 45yo patient with comorbidities, hospitalized since AUG 21st.
msptucuman.gov.ar/comunicado-ofi…
He was a 45yo patient with comorbidities, hospitalized since AUG 21st.
5/ The same day (AUG 31st), it was reported that The National Administration of Laboratories and Health Institutes (ANLIS), also know as "El Malbrán", a highly reputed institution in Argentina, received samples from the confirmed cases, in order to execute extended analyses.
6/ Now, it was publicly known that the total cases consisted of 5 health workers and 1 private patient.
Their symptoms began between AUG 18th - AUG 22nd.
The total number of deaths was elevated to 2.
dw.com/es/argentina-r…
Their symptoms began between AUG 18th - AUG 22nd.
The total number of deaths was elevated to 2.
dw.com/es/argentina-r…
7/
Follow Up / Tracing activities were since conducted by health officers in order to detect possible new linked cases.
Important: No new cases were discovered until AUG 31st.
So, 3 HW were still hospitalized, and 1 more (the woman) was still isolated at home.
Follow Up / Tracing activities were since conducted by health officers in order to detect possible new linked cases.
Important: No new cases were discovered until AUG 31st.
So, 3 HW were still hospitalized, and 1 more (the woman) was still isolated at home.
8/ Initially, the name of the medical center were the outbreak took place, was not disclosed.
But now we know that it was the "Sanatorium Luz Médica".
We even know that it was isolated/shut down for 7 days.
Only high risk patients could keep medical consultations there.
But now we know that it was the "Sanatorium Luz Médica".
We even know that it was isolated/shut down for 7 days.
Only high risk patients could keep medical consultations there.
9/ The Sanatorium is located right in the middle of the 1.5m population city of San Miguel de Tucumán.
tucumanalas7.com.ar/local/2022/8/3…
tucumanalas7.com.ar/local/2022/8/3…
10/ SEP 1st, 2022:
Huge news here. The Ministry of Public Health reported 3 more cases today. and the death of a 70yo woman.
Their symptoms began between AUG 20th - AUG 23rd.
No. of active cases: 7
No. of deaths: 3
The woman was considered "patient zero" at first.
Huge news here. The Ministry of Public Health reported 3 more cases today. and the death of a 70yo woman.
Their symptoms began between AUG 20th - AUG 23rd.
No. of active cases: 7
No. of deaths: 3
The woman was considered "patient zero" at first.
11/ But the health officers team is still investigating in order to confirm/deny this initial thought abt her.
The identity of the 3 new cases was also disclosed:
All of them HCW.
a 40yo pharmacy assistant.
a 44yo nurse (isolated at home).
a 30yo male nurse w/comorbidities.
The identity of the 3 new cases was also disclosed:
All of them HCW.
a 40yo pharmacy assistant.
a 44yo nurse (isolated at home).
a 30yo male nurse w/comorbidities.
12/ Important: It was also reported that yday "El Malbrán" shared some results w/the local authorities:
"So far all the analyses that we had as negative -for Covid, Hantavirus and some strains of Legionella- are also giving negative results there".
i.e. a double confirmation.
"So far all the analyses that we had as negative -for Covid, Hantavirus and some strains of Legionella- are also giving negative results there".
i.e. a double confirmation.
13/ Another important piece of info:
"Sanitary Control is doing an exhaustive analysis in the sanatorium and so far, nothing has been found that gives suspicion of being the origin of the problem".
They are even "capturing DNA samples to identify any virus or viral particle".
"Sanitary Control is doing an exhaustive analysis in the sanatorium and so far, nothing has been found that gives suspicion of being the origin of the problem".
They are even "capturing DNA samples to identify any virus or viral particle".
14/ But there are some good news too:
There are no new infections either in the family or with work-related contacts. All the cases share the same link so far.
-
So, what kind of pathogen is still considered as the main cause of this event?
There are is ONLY 1, afaik.
There are no new infections either in the family or with work-related contacts. All the cases share the same link so far.
-
So, what kind of pathogen is still considered as the main cause of this event?
There are is ONLY 1, afaik.
15/ Since yday, local media and popular opinion are pushing a narrative: They think this was the "Legionnaires' disease", caused by Legionella bacteria.
BUT, remember that earlier today, the Health Officers already ruled out that one too (video below):
BUT, remember that earlier today, the Health Officers already ruled out that one too (video below):
https://twitter.com/HenrikAborym/status/1565426547028135936
16/ There are many species of Legionella, but the most popular is Legionella pneumophila.
We don't know which species of Legionella have already been ruled out, but even if pneumophila was discarded (Im sure they did), there could still be a very small chance of being Legionella
We don't know which species of Legionella have already been ruled out, but even if pneumophila was discarded (Im sure they did), there could still be a very small chance of being Legionella
17/ Apart from that, there is the only 1 pathogen that I was talking abt some tweets above:
Leptospira interrogans.
AFAIK, the argentinian team (including "El Malbrán") are still considering this bacteria, i.e. it hasn't been ruled out yet.
Could this be then Leptospirosis?
Leptospira interrogans.
AFAIK, the argentinian team (including "El Malbrán") are still considering this bacteria, i.e. it hasn't been ruled out yet.
Could this be then Leptospirosis?
18/
Argentinian local authorities are doing all they can to identify the pathogen or cause behind this potentially serious event.
Just please keep calm, and wait. Don't repeat the mistakes that we made with the COVID pandemic, and hope for the best.
msptucuman.gov.ar/el-ministerio-…
Argentinian local authorities are doing all they can to identify the pathogen or cause behind this potentially serious event.
Just please keep calm, and wait. Don't repeat the mistakes that we made with the COVID pandemic, and hope for the best.
msptucuman.gov.ar/el-ministerio-…
Thanks to @juan_cambeiro for this reminder! Highly appreciated 🫡
END.
https://twitter.com/juan_cambeiro/status/1565464852008783872
END.
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