Manila tops Asean tally

This developed as the World Health Organization (WHO), in its latest global situation update, reported the Philippines has eclipsed Thailand among countries in Southeast Asia, with confirmed A(H1N1) cases of 861, including one death as of 5 p.m. on June 29.

Closely following the Philippines in the region are Thailand (774 cases, no death); Singapore (599 cases, no death); New Zealand (587 cases, no death); Spain (541 cases, no death); and Israel (469 cases, no death).

The WHO update shows the greatest number are in the United States (27,717 cases, 127 deaths); Mexico (8,279 cases, 116 deaths); Canada (7,775 cases, 21 deaths); Chile (5,186 cases, seven deaths); the United Kingdom (4,250 cases, one death); Australia (4,038 cases, seven deaths); Argentina (1,488 cases, 23 deaths); China (1,442 cases, no death); and Japan (1,212 cases, no death).

In the Zamboanga case, the 9-year-old flu-stricken boy—he is now well—was reported to have had contact with a relative in Manila found positive of A(H1N1) infection.

The boy and the entire family placed themselves on home quarantine from June 22 and were provided antiviral treatment by the Department of Health.

Meanwhile, the health department is intensifying its information drive on swine flu and Duque said, “We have also requested the NDDC member agencies, especially DepEd, CHED and Tesda and PIA to help us in our nationwide campaign against A [H1N1]. This is to make sure that our information and education activities reach all schools, barangays and provinces in the country.”

The DOH have not yet recommend the public to use face masks or any personal protective equipment, but several companies manufacturing face masks have been taking advantage of the fear and are offering such protective gear.

Health experts warned, however, that not all face masks are effective and the only ones capable of preventing infection are the N95 class face masks and those treated with antipathogen solutions.

The experts said that the best protection is not to frequent crowded places and boost one’s immune system by adequate rest, hydration, fresh air, balanced diet, and moderate exercise.
MedTecs International Corp. Ltd. vice president Earl Montero said they are manufacturing an “all-Filipino” made face masks (N95 and 3-ply N88), isolation gowns, shoe covers and bouffant hats. (With M. Gonzalez, S. Fabunan, B. Garcia, Jr.)

"So sad that 1 Filipino died because of this Swine Flu virus."

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