H1N1 claims second Hungarian victim

A 34-year-old man who died Wednesday of a lung haemorrhage was infected with the H1N1 flu virus, Health Minister Tamás Székely said. The man collapsed at his home in Tolna county and died.

There is no epidemic in Hungary, Székely said. There are 205 known H1N1 cases, but the number could be higher, he added, as not everyone consults their doctor.

A 42-year-old man was the first casualty of the flu in July. He had been suffering from heart and lung disease before he was infected.

Protective inoculations against the H1N1 virus could begin in Hungary from late next weekend or the subsequent week, Székely announced. He said permits for the vaccine will be issued next week.

The head of the National Pandemic Commission, László Bujdosó, told reporters that tests of the Hungarian vaccine have been completed and it has proven effective against the virus. In the worst-case scenario, 3.5 million people in Hungary could become infected, thousands would die of the flu, and the Hungarian economy could lose Ft 1,200 billion, Bujdosó told MTV.

Meanwhile, mayor Gábor Demszky has convened a special meeting of the Budapest Protection Commission for today to discuss ways of preventing a massive flu outbreak. Leaders of the civil defence, police, fire-fighters, ambulance services, the State Medical Office and chief executives of Budapest public utility companies will meet at 10 a.m.