The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-08-29

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Probe into NE Attica Wildfires

Senior Fire Department officers were summoned to appear before the Public Administration Inspector General Leandros Rakintzis within the frame of investigations into possible responsibilities and omissions during coordination for the extinguishment of recent destructive fires in NE Attica.

Mr. Rakitzis aides visited the Fire Department Operation Center two days ago where Fire Department and Air Force officers who coordinated air fire fighting means gave their statements. They requested recorded instructions and documents verifying water bomber craft flight times over the fire on Saturday morning when flames escaped control of fire fighting forces. Mr. Rakitzis is expected to hand the report to alternate Interior Minister Hristos Markoyiannakis at the beginning of next week who is going to impose strict punishment in the event responsibilities are proved. Investigation so far has not indicated any responsibilities of the FD.

Suspect Couple Interrogated

In the meantime, police are interrogating a couple who were near the site where the fire broke out. Riot police, patrolling the site of the under construction landfill testified that the couple were at a short distance from the site the fire broke out. There are some contradictions during their interrogation and the prosecutor in charge is to decide whether a law suit would be filed against them.

News item: 26217

[02] 16YO in Serious Condition

A 16yo girl infected with H1N1 virus was transferred to an intensive care ward of an Athens hospital. According to Health Ministry announcement the young girl with diagnosed malignancy is in a critical condition after developing respiratory insufficiency. She is the ninth serious H1N1 case recorded in Greece.

In the meantime, a 58yo woman the 8th H1N1 serious case reported is still hospitalized in critical condition. She suffers from diabetes, chronic kidney failure and Goodpasture disease and is undergoing dialysis. She is also overweight.

There is no reason for concern about the health state of the 33 new recruits in the Special Forces Army Camp in Megalo Pefko, who showed symptoms of the new flu, they have been tested negative. Three of them had been transferred to 401 Military Hospital.

In the meantime, the plenum of the National Pandemic Council , chaired by Health Minister Dimitris Abramopoulos, meets on Monday.

News item: 26213

[03] H1N1 Virus Killed 2.200 People in 177 Countries

World Health Organization said today that H1N1 virus has killed 2.200 people in 177 countries and developed to the main flu virus worldwide surpassing ordinary seasonal flu strains.

The number of countries with recorded H1N1 cases indicate that the pandemic has rapidly spread and developed to the major flu virus worldwide said the WHO.

According to official records 209.438 people have been infected worldwide while the WHO believes that the number of people infected is much higher.

Fearing Pneumonia

WHO fears virus turn more dangerous and cause direct lung damage. Ones infected will need hospitalization while cost of treatment will be too high.

Argentina: H1N1 Killed Another 26 People

Argentina, the third country with the largest number of people infected, shows signs that the flu is fading away. Another 26 people were killed by the swine flu this week bringing the total number of victims to 465.

The Health Ministry said that lab tests have been ordered to 349 suspected deaths which could be linked to A(H1N1). It has also reported over 800.000 with swine flu symptoms of which 8.240 have been confirmed since the flu broke out on May, 17, in Argentina.

Argentina is the third country with the most H1N1 cases after Brazil (557 deaths) and the US (552 deaths).

News item: 26208

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