World

US official warns of flu-linked pneumonia among youth

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-26 11:35

HOUSTON: The ongoing A(H1N1) influenza can increase the risk of pneumonia disease among young people, a high-ranking health official from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Wednesday.

"We are seeing an increase in serious pneumococcal infections around the country," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told a press conference.

Citing the latest figures in Denver, Schuchat saw a worrisome rise in the flu-linked bacterial pneumonia outbreak.

The figures showed that Denver reported 58 serious cases of pneumococcal disease in October, nearly tripling the five-year average for the same month, which was 20.

"Most of that increase has been in adults under the age of 60," she said.

The findings in Denver could reflect similar trends in other parts of the country, she said, adding they highlighted a need for prevention efforts like vaccination.

She also recommended that adults with chronic conditions like diabetes, emphysema, or chronic heart, lung and liver diseases should receive a pneumococcal vaccine.