DOH: 4 more test positive for H1N1 virus

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday that four more individuals have been found infected with Swine Flu, bringing to 14 the total number of confirmed cases in the country.

The latest cases include two guests at a wedding party held on May 17 in Zambales, which was attended by the Taiwanese tourists who had earlier tested positive for the Swine flu.

The two are a 42-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man.

The wedding had around 50 guests and eight of them have so far tested positive for the virus.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the two other patients – a 19-year-old woman and a four-year-old girl – had traveled to the United States where the virus has spread in many cities.

“All four cases of Swine Flu have been started on Oseltamivir and have mild respiratory symptoms. All are Filipinos,” Duque said at a press briefing.

Health officials have started tracking down those who came in contact with the four patients so they could be asked to observe a 10-day self-quarantine.

Duque said the DOH is expecting Swine Flu cases to rise, “as is happening in many countries” but maintained that there “should not be any cause for alarm.”

“The rapid increase in the number of Swine Flu cases worldwide can be attributed to the relative ease of transmission of the virus and the unrestricted flow of international travelers,” he added.

In San Fernando, Pampanga, health officials said eight of the 50 wedding partygoers called up and volunteered to undergo examination, DOH Central Luzon director Dr. Rio Magpantay told The STAR.

Magpantay said six of the callers submitted themselves to tests at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital while the two were at a regional hospital.

"The swine flu case in our country is growing in numbers and is alarming. A good hygienic practices will be our best defense against this virus."

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Malls, schools join anti-flu campaign

Schools and colleges, as well as government and private offices, have joined forces to fight off the threats from Swine Flu that has killed at least 91 people and sickened more than 12,500 others in 46 countries around the world, including the United States.

Not taking anything for granted, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus Monday urged students who had just returned from abroad, or were coming home from abroad, to go on self-quarantine for 10 days before going back to school with the reopening of classes this June.

The country’s three largest shopping mall chains—the SM Mall empire, the Ayala Malls and the Gokongweis’ Robinsons—said they were taking active measures to protect the health of consumers and mall goers, and to prevent any outbreak of the swine flu virus in the country.

"Everyone is helping each other fight the spread of this deadly virus in the Philippines."

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2 swine flu victims getting well

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said both patients—the 10-year-old Filipino girl who arrived from the United States and Canada on May 18 and the 50-year-old balikbayan Filipina who arrived from the US on May 20—are well and no longer have any symptoms.

He said the two patients will be discharged once their repeat PCR (polymerase chain reaction) laboratory test becomes negative for the Swine Flu virus.

“We can say they’re recovering and we’re looking forward to a negative PCR test. Then they won’t be infectious anymore,” Duque said.

Meanwhile, all the close contacts of the two patients, which includes immediate family and household members as well as co-passengers seated close to them during the flight, have not reported any symptoms of flu and are observing “home quarantine.”

Chief epidemiologist Dr. Eric Tayag said if they will remain to be flu-free, the home quarantine for the girl’s close contacts will be lifted on Wednesday, while that for the 50-year-old balikbayan’s contacts will be lifted on May 30.

"Good news, at least they were able to keep the virus to spread, a lot safer for us."

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Asian Countries Confirm More Cases of Swine Flu

Confirmed cases of swine flu increased across the Asia-Pacific region at the weekend, with China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, South Korea and Australia reporting new infections.

Also on Sunday, the Philippines confirmed its second case of swine flu, and health officials said 15 other people were undergoing tests for the virus. A 50-year-old woman from Chicago tested positive for the virus, the health secretary said. It wasn't clear whether the woman was a Philippine or U.S. citizen.

"Filipinos really need to be aware and educate themselves on the cause of this swine flu virus to prevent deaths in our country."

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