26 June,2009 02:59 PM IST | | PTI
People with blood group II are more vulnerable to catch the new flu A/H1N1 virus, chief of specialised anti-viral drugs commission has said. "The interferon system is suppressed in people with the blood type II, they often develop respiratory, oncological and other diseases," Phelix Yarshov, chief, RF Pharmacological Committee told a press conference.
Therefore, it is particularly important for each person to know his blood type now," he pointed out. Yershov noted that interferon has a big preventive and curing effect, as today it is the only antiviral drug, which can control the existing flu viruses. Apart from it people with chronic diseases are also vulnerable to the flu A/H1N1 virus, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences academician, Oleg Kiselev added. "People with chronic diseases, particularly those with cardiovascular diseases, bronchial asthma and people with excessive weight, should be primarily vaccinated against the flu A/H1N1 virus." "They are mostly vulnerable to the flu, as their immunity is weakened," Kiselev said.
According to him despite the anti-epidemic measures taken it is possible to expect a sweeping spread of this infection already at the beginning of the autumn - winter season in 2009. "The new virus provokes a relatively high mortality rate, migrates rapidly on the continents and has a high infection rate," he added.
