DOH - Update No. 26 - DUQUE REPORTS 4 MORE NEW CONFIRMED CASES OF A (H1N1); FIRST TWO CASES DISCHARGED TODAY

May 28, 2009

Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported that there are four more new laboratory-confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) cases in the country. This brings the total number of cases to ten.

The new confirmed cases all attended the wedding in Zambales on May 17, which was also attended by the Taiwanese nationals. Of these four attendees, two were females, a 24 year old mother and her one year old daughter. The other two were males, aged 47 years and 13 years. Three are Filipinos, and one is a foreign national. All are taking Oseltamivir and only have mild acute respiratory illness.

Update on the first two confirmed cases. Both cases have been asymptomatic for the past three days, and their repeat PCR are now negative for the virus. They will be sent home from the hospital today since they are no longer contagious.

Of the 19 household contacts of the first case, only one manifested with symptoms of influenza. Specimen taken from this person turned out to be negative for the virus. All 11 contacts of the second case continue to be asymptomatic and are observing home quarantine which ends tomorrow.

On the Japanese national. On May 26, the WHO informed the DOH of a Filipino who travelled to Japan on May 22 and was confirmed to have Influenza A(H1N1) on May 26. This case had fever and cough on May 25, three days after arriving in Japan. Prior to travel, this person was staying in a Philippine locality that had no reported confirmed A(H1N1) cases or Cases Under Observation (CUOs). The DOH is currently coordinating with Japanese health authorities. We will update you on our investigation.

DOH will continue to actively seek the contacts of all confirmed cases and assess their exposure and health status. All found to be ill must be tested for A(H1N1) through a throat swab, and will be treated and managed accordingly. We encourage the public to follow the public health measures the DOH has been implementing to prevent the spread the virus.

Duque reiterated that if you have traveled to an Influenza A(H1N1) affected country or have been exposed to a confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1) and have fever, cough, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms, please consult a health facility immediately. You can also call the DOH Hotline (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002.

Individuals manifesting with influenza symptoms and have pre-existing conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, immunodeficiencies, as well as pregnant women and young children should not self-medicate and go immediately to their health provider.

Duque emphasized that while there is an increasing number of cases being confirmed in the country, there is still no indication that there is sustained community transmission in the Philippines. The government has prepared for this through its National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan. All DOH hospitals and medical centers have been designated as referral hospitals for managing A(H1N1).

The DOH is also strengthening its partnership with the private sector and member agencies of the National Disaster Coordinating Council. The NDCC will hold a special meeting on A(H1N1) tomorrow with Secretary Duque as the Chair.

Duque disclosed that there are now 25 new Cases Under Observation (CUO). Of these CUOs, four were reported as confirmed cases, eight were discarded when results came in negative, and 13 still have pending results. Since May 1, 2009, the DOH has monitored 184 CUOs.

Globally, the World Health Organization has reported a total of 13, 398 cases with 95 deaths in 48 countries as of May 27. New countries reporting confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) are Singapore and Bahrain.