A(H1N1) Virus Update from DOH - June 26, 2009

Update No. 52 - Duque: Country's Mild A (H1N1) Patients Responding Positively to Treatment

26 June 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported 134 more mild cases of A (H1N1), noting that all are responding positively to their treatments. These additional cases bring the total count of confirmed cases of the novel virus to 861.

The total sum, on the other hand, of fully recovered patients still stands at 634 or 74% of the total number of confirmed cases reported since May 21.

“The number of fully recovered patients is the same as the previous update because the present reported cases are still getting treatment and recuperating either in hospitals or their homes,” Duque explained.

The additional 134 cases involved 60 males and 74 females. The age range of these cases is 2-58 years old, with 16 as median age. One hundred eighteen (118) of the new cases are Filipinos, the remaining 16 are foreigners. Twenty (20) of these cases have a history of travel to a country affected by A (H1N1).

Meanwhile, as of June 24, the World Health Organization reported 55,867 cases with 238 deaths from 102 reporting countries.

A(H1N1) Virus Update from DOH as of June 25, 2009

 

Update No. 51 - Duque: 85 More A (H1N1) Patients have Fully Recovered

25 June 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported that 85 more A (H1N1) patients have fully recovered. This new number brings the total count of fully recovered cases to 536 or 74% of the total sum of reported confirmed mild cases since May 21.

Duque also disclosed that there are 123 more confirmed cases, all mild in nature, reported today. These new additional cases bring the total of confirmed cases to 727.

The 123 new cases involved 71 males and 52 females. The age range of these cases is 6-59 years old, with 19 as median age. One hundred twenty (120) of the new cases are Filipinos and the remaining three (3) are foreigners. Twenty-one (21 of these cases have a history of travel to a country affected with the novel virus.

Duque repeated that the safest ways to avoid contracting the flu are thorough hand washing and covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.

Duque stressed that the best defense against A (H1N1) and other diseases is to boost your immune system.

“Most can fight off this novel virus even without medications or hospitalization. If you have mild flu-like symptoms but you do not have any pre-existing medical condition then there is no reason to be alarmed. Just stay home and take plenty of fluids, vitamins and bed rest,” Duque advised.

“We want to make it clear that high-risk groups, once they have the flu symptoms, should immediately go to their doctor.   They should not wait for their symptoms to worsen because they are prone to many infections other than the novel virus such as our seasonal flu strains.  These are patients with uncontrolled diabetes, frank cardiovascular disease, asthma, COPD, organ transplant recipients, those who are immunocompromised, those with chronic liver and kidney disease, people suffering from other infections like HIV/AIDs and TB, pregnant women and the very young and the elderly,” Duque clarified.

“It is prudent for parents to seek professional care for children with rapid breathing, excessive drowsiness or dehydration. In adults, chest pain, prolonged fever or labored breathing should prompt warnings to see a doctor,” Duque reminded the public.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO), as of June 24, reported 55,867 cases with 238 deaths from 102 reporting countries. The WHO said that Antigua and Barbuda, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Latvia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Tunisia, Ukraine and Vanuatu are the new countries reporting with A (H1N1) cases.  

 

 

A(H1N1) Virus Update from DOH - June 23, 2009

 

Update No. 49 - DOH AND SMART Join Forces Against A (H1N1); 85% of Reported Cases Fully Recovered

23 June 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today welcomed the support of SMART Communications, Inc. in the government’s continuing efforts to fight influenza A (H1N1).  SMART represented by its Public Affairs Group Head, Mr. Ramon R. Isberto, unveiled the company’s SMART Health Watch Hotline 155 which can be used by the public to access the most recent information and updates on the novel virus A (H1N1).

“We welcome SMART’s move to strengthen government efforts against A (H1N1) through a better informed, educated and empowered Filipino public. By hitting 155 on their Smart and Talk ‘N Text-powered mobile phones, subscribers can easily access information on A(H1N1). This is good for the A (H1N1) information campaign. We, at the Department of Health (DOH), are glad that we have this partnership,” Duque said

Hotline 155 will be available starting today from Mondays to Fridays, from 8am-5pm.  Duque said that the DOH will be providing the contents that Smart will be giving its subscribers.

“We have given them all relevant information on the novel virus that they will need because they would be manning the hotline. However, when tougher questions come up, they will be referring the callers to the DOH-Health Emergency Management Service Operations Center,” Duque said.

Duque said that apart from the hotline, there will also be a Smart Infoboard Service, a text messaging solution that will provide a more effective and efficient communication service.

“This means that information on A(H1N1) can soon be accessible through text messaging,” Duque said.

Meanwhile, Duque announced that 26 more A(H1N1) patients have already fully recovered, thus bringing the total count of those who have fully recovered to 400. This figure represents 85% of all the confirmed cases reported since May 21.

Duque also disclosed today that there are 28 more confirmed (mild) cases of the novel virus in the country. This new number brings the total sum of confirmed cases to 473.

The 28 new cases involved 16 males and 12 females. Their age range is from 7 months to 49 years old, with 19 as median age. All of the cases are Filipinos with no history of travel to any affected country.

“There is only one reported A(H1N1)-related death in the country,” Duque said. “All close contacts in the household and in the workplace of this particular patient are being monitored and are now in quarantine,” he added.

Duque said that globally the World Health Organization has reported 52,160 cases with 231 deaths from 94 reporting countries. Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam and Fiji are the new countries that reported A(H1N1) cases.   

 

A(H1N1) Virus Update from DOH as of June 22, 2009

Update 48-Duque Reports High Risk Patient who Dies of Heart Attack Found with A(H1N1);84% of all Reported Cases Fully Recovered

22 June 2009 

Health Secretary Francisco T.  Duque III today reported the death of a 49-year old female who is known to have a pre-existing chronic heart disease was also found to be positive for A (H1N1). He said that the patient presented with flu-like symptoms starting on June 17 consisting of dry cough, fever and chills and difficulty of breathing just before death on June 19.

 Duque said that post-autopsy findings disclosed that the death was caused by congestive heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction aggravated by severe pneumonia either bacterial, viral or both.   He said a throat-swab revealed that she was positive for A (H1N1). 

“Given the available information, we cannot conclude that the death is due to A (H1N1).  But in other countries which have reported A (H1N1) deaths, majority have pre-existing medical conditions. We condole with the family of the patient as we mourn her untimely death,’’ Duque said.  

Because of this first reported case of death in a patient with an incidental finding of A (H1N1) in the country, Duque said that the Department of Health will be more aggressive in targeting segments of patients with a high vulnerability to fatal flu complications saying that they should be the ones receiving the most care and attention by healthcare professionals. 

“We want to make it clear that high-risk groups, once they have the flu symptoms, should immediately go to their doctor.   They should not wait for their symptoms to worsen because they are prone to many infections other than the novel virus such as our seasonal flu strains.  These are patients with uncontrolled diabetes, frank cardiovascular disease, COPD, organ transplant recipients, those who are immunocompromised, those with chronic liver and kidney disease, people suffering from other infections like HIV/AIDs and TB, pregnant women and the very young and the elderly,” Duque clarified. 

At present, the DOH is revising the interim guidelines for managing and treating A (H1N1) cases to ensure that vulnerable populations are prioritized and receive immediately the appropriate modicum of care.  This is in accordance with the Pandemic Alert Level 6 declaration of the World Health Organization which recommends to its member states to focus on managing cases, especially severe ones, rather than containment to prevent the spread of the virus. 

“We would like to reemphasize that, globally and locally, the overwhelming majority of cases only experience mild symptoms and, eventually, make a rapid and full recovery, often even without any form of medical intervention,” Duque stressed.  

“It is prudent for parents to seek professional care for children with rapid breathing, excessive drowsiness or dehydration. In adults, chest pain, prolonged fever or labored breathing should prompt warnings to see a doctor,” Duque reminded the public. 

“We need to make sure that our resources are efficiently used and that they will give us the best outcomes by targeting people who are at risk for developing complications,’ Duque said. Meanwhile, Duque advised the public to continue heeding the recommendations of the DOH on proper handwashing, cough etiquette, and other hygiene practices. 

“The best defense against A (H1N1) and other diseases is to boost your immune system. Most people can fight off this virus without special medications or hospitalization. You can stay at home and take supportive care like plenty of fluids, vitamins and bed rest,” Duque stressed.

Duque also disclosed that 35 more have fully recovered from the novel virus, thus bringing the total count of those who have fully recovered to 374. This number constitutes 84% of the total confirmed cases reported since May 21. 

Duque also said that there are 17 more confirmed cases recorded today. These additional patients bring the total sum of confirmed cases to 445. 

The new 17 cases involved 8 males and 9 females. The age range of these cases is 11-58 years old, with 19 as median age. Duque noted that 15 of these cases are Filipinos, while the remaining 2 are foreigners. He added that of 3 of these 17 cases have travelled to a country affected with A (H1N1).  On the other hand, as of June 19, the World Health Organization reported 44,287 cases with 180 deaths from 90 reporting countries.  

DOH Update No. 45 - Duque: 15 More Recovered A (H1N1) Patients Sent Home Today

19 June 2009

Health  Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported that 15 more fully recovered A (H1N1) cases were already sent home. The total number of recovered cases is now 262 while the total count of positive cases remains at 344 (as reported yesterday). 

“All of these 344 confirmed cases were mild in nature, both those who are currently under treatment and those who have been sent home,” Duque said.

“Although it is true that for now the novel virus seemed to be causing only mild illness, we still should not be too complacent and let our guard down. We should continue to be vigilant as we, in the government, continue to monitor if there are any changes in its trends and patterns,” Duque stressed.

Duque also said that most of the 344 confirmed cases are from Metro Manila (National Capital Region) with 234 (68%), Central Luzon (Region III) with 45 (13%), and CALABARZON (Region IV-A) with 31 (9%).

Duque also noted that in the National Capital Region, most cases came from Quezon City (81 or 34%), Manila (44 or 18%), Parañaque (21 or 9%) and Makati (15 or 6%).

Duque said the age range of these cases is from 1 to 76 years old, with 18 as the median age. He also said that most of the cases belonged to the 15-24 years age group (171 or 50%).  He said that majority of cases were male (187 or 54.4%).

Duque disclosed that 305 (89%) of the reported confirmed cases are Filipinos.

“The rest are Japanese (6), American (4), Australia (1), China (1), India (1), Iran (1), Korea (1) and Sweden (1). The remaining 22 did not specify their nationality,” Duque said.

Duque also disclosed that 101 had history of travel to a country which had reported confirmed cases; most came from USA (48 or 14%), Japan (16 or 5%) and China (10 or 3%).

Meanwhile, as June 17, the World Health Organization reported 39,620 cases with 167 deaths from 88 reporting countries. Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, France French Polynesia, France Martinique, Jordan, Netherlands Curacao, Qatar, Samoa, Sri Lanka, UK Isle of Man, UK Jersey and Yemen are the new countries reporting with A (H1N1) cases.

 

DOH Update 43 - Duque Reports 64 New Cases While 8 More Fully Recovered Patients Are Sent Home Today

 

Published on Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.ph)

17 June 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported eight (8) fully recovered patients more were sent home while confirming 64 new cases, all mild in nature.

Forty of the cases are male, while the rest of the 24 are female. The age range of these cases is from 1 to 62 years old with a median age of 18 years old. All but two of the 64 are Filipinos. These new additional cases bring the total count to 311.

Duque announced that the 8 fully recovered patients bring the total count of recovered A (H1N1) cases to 93.

“So far the country has no reported case of death or severe illness in all of the 311 documented positive cases,” Duque stressed.

In their latest report dated June 15, the WHO has reported 35,928 cases and 163 deaths from 76 reporting countries.

H1N1 Update No. 42 DOH

 

Published on Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.ph)

16 June 2009

LOCAL UPDATES

TOTAL CONFIRMED	247
NEW CASES	54
GENDER Males Females	25            29
AGE RANGE NATIONALITIES	5-70 years old    52 Filipinos      2 Foreigners
Total Discharged	85
Newly Discharged	14

HILERA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

194 ILI Cases (as of June 12); 20 confirmed Affected Barangays: 1. Hilera (no. of cases decreasing) 2. Pakul 3. Lambakin Intervention 1.  School Closure 2.  Active Disease Surveillance 3.  Health Education 4.  Social Distancing

CANDELARIA HIGH SCHOOL

49 ILI Cases; 8 Confirmed Affected Barangays: 1.  Bambang - 23 ILI Found 2.  Sta. Ana - 7 ILI Found 3.  Matungas Intervention: Epidemiologic Investigation On-going

GLOBAL UPDATE

Total:	35,928
Death:	168
No.of Countries Reporting:	76

 

DOH Update 41 -Duque Reports 33 More A(H1N1) Cases Sent Home Over the Weekend While Confirming Community Outbreak in 1 Brgy in Jaen

15 June 2009

 

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today announced that 33 more A (H1N1) patients have been sent home over the weekend after recovering from the said illness. To date, the country has already 71 fully recovered cases.  

 

Meanwhile, Duque also reported that there were 46 more confirmed mild A (H1N1) cases over the weekend, thus bringing the total figure of positive cases since to 193 (including the 36 confirmed cases reported Sunday) since May 1.

 

The 46 new confirmed cases involved 27 females and 19 males with an age range of 9-47 years old. All of the new cases are Filipinos.

 

On the other hand, after falling ill with flu-like symptoms, 19 individuals from a barangay in Jaen, Nueva Ecija were tested for the novel virus. Eight of them turned out positive for A (H1 N1). Duque said that the said figures are all community cases.

 

The local executives in the said province declared an outbreak over the weekend. Regional health officials said that the 8 confirmed cases are all mild in nature and are all responding well to their treatments.

 

“It’s an outbreak of mild A (H1N1) cases,” Duque said.

 

Duque also reiterated that not only school authorities but barangay leaders and heads of offices, as well, across the country should continue reporting to their respective local government executives any unusual occurrence of flu-like symptoms among their students, constituents and employees, respectively, especially those who travelled last summer from countries affected with the A (H1N1).

 

”This effort is part of the readiness of the Department of Health (DOH) to shift from containment to mitigation”, Duque said.

 

In a breaking news, 8 confirmed A (H1N1) cases out of 18 samples from Candelaria Elementary School in Candelaria, Bulacan were also reported by Duque today in his briefing with De La Salle University Officials. Details of these cases are being confirmed.

 

DOH H1N1 Update No. 40 - Duque Outlines Mitigation Strategies Against A (H1N1); 6 More Fully Recovered Patients Sent Home Today

13 June 2009

 

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today informed the public that the Department of Health (DOH) is soon shifting to a policy of mitigation in response to the decision of the World Health Organization to raise the Pandemic Alert Level 5 to Level 6.

 

“A policy of mitigation means that the DOH will shift focus in preparing households and health facilities to respond to the challenge posed by A (H1N1) in anticipation of more confirmed cases,” Duque said.

“This means that we have to make sure that our health system is equipped to treat and manage particularly severe cases which may require more intensive care in our hospitals and that mild cases are appropriately treated at home,” he added.

 

Under Pandemic Alert Level 6, WHO has alerted all countries that the A H1N1) virus is now widespread in at least two WHO regions and that further spread is inevitable.  As a logical response, WHO advised all its member states to focus on the appropriate management of patients, particularly those at high risk for developing flu complications and a decreased emphasis on stopping the spread of the virus.

 

In a press conference held this afternoon, Duque presented the DOH’s Strategic Plan and stepwise approach for the country’s mitigation response to the novel Influenza A virus.  The stepwise approach consists of four phases according to the number of cases and the presence of community level transmission in a certain locality.

 

The mitigation approach also outlines key management imperatives in the areas of activating the command system, surveillance, health facility response, public health interventions and risk communication strategies.

 

“I want to make it clear that mitigation will be done in phases and that it will not be applied across the nation completely and instantaneously.  This will depend on the presence of community-wide transmission and whether there is a high or low volume of cases in a community.  Therefore, in areas where there are few cases and we can still contain the spread of A (H1N1), mitigation strategies generally will not apply,” Duque said.

 

Duque also made clear that with the mitigation strategy, the DOH will now concentrate on promptly giving care to populations found to be at high risk for developing flu complications based on the epidemiology being shown by the A (H1N1) locally and in many other affected countries thus far. 

“This virus, as explained by WHO, causes very mild symptoms and a self-limiting course in the overwhelming majority of patients largely those who have no preexisting conditions.  We need to focus on giving more attention and care to patients with preexisting diseases like diabetes, heart and renal disease, immmunocompromised state, the pregnant, the very young and the elderly and those with infections like HIV/AIDs and TB.  We advise these patients to immediately consult their doctors as soon as they develop flu-like symptoms,” Duque said.

 

Duque said that the DOH will continue to monitor geographic spread and severity of illness to determine application of mitigation measures on a case to case basis.

 

Thus, with the policy shift, DOH will be implementing a change in its criteria for hospital admission and giving of antiviral treatment and prophylaxis.

 

“Only those with progressive symptoms and preexisting conditions will be hospitalized and will be given antivirals immediately.  For the majority of cases we expect to be mild, they will only have to be put under home treatment and they will be advised regarding supportive care and to observe social distancing for 10 days,” Duque said.

 

Duque also reported today 19 new cases, all mild in nature. Eleven of these new cases are males, the other 8 are females. The age range of these cases is from 6-49 years old. All but one of the 19 are Filipinos. These new additional cases bring the total count to 111.

 

Duque announced that 6 more fully recovered patients have been sent home today thus, bringing the total count of recovered A (H1N1) cases to 38.

 

“So far the country has no reported case of death or severe illness in all of the 111 documented positive cases,” Duque stressed.

 In their latest report dated June 12, the WHO has reported 29,669 cases and 145 deaths from 74 reporting countries.

DOH - Update No. 36 - Duque Said DOH Starts Mitigation Activities with WHO Expert Advice

09 June 2009 
Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported 8 more confirmed cases of A (H1N1) over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of the country’s cases to 54.

“We are expecting the number to increase because of the aggressive contact tracing that the Department of Health (DOH) is doing right now and our hospitals have been ready for this situation. These new cases are also like the previous ones that are mild in nature, very similar to the cases seen in other affected countries”, Duque said.

The eight new confirmed cases include seven Filipinos and one foreigner. Four are males and 4 are females with an age range of 16-44 years old. Six of the cases are students of the De La Salle University, while one is the first confirmed case from the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. Two of the 8 new confirmed cases had a history of travel. The said cases travelled to the US.

Duque said that all new cases are responding positively to the treatment.

Duque also disclosed that he met with World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Adviser Dr. Hiroshi Oshitani and discussed plans and recommendation on how to go about the shift from containment to mitigation.

“We also talked about the country’s surveillance capabilities, laboratory capacity, and other measures such as school closures and contact-tracing to mitigate the effects of A (H1N1)”, Duque added.

Meanwhile, Duque recommended the isolation of a suspected case, to let them stay home if they are sick.  Duque also advised offices to immediately notify the DOH regarding these cases.  

“We repeat that there is no need to wear masks, quarantine entire rooms or floors and suspend business activities.  I reiterate, however, that all businesses should have a contingency plan to ensure the continuity of their operations,” Duque said.

Duque stressed that only those who qualify as CUOs including close contacts of confirmed cases are tested and given free treatment in designated DOH referral hospitals.    

Duque enumerates that the following high risk individuals will be given treatment priority: 1) Those who have flu-like symptoms and have recently travelled from affected countries; and 2) Symptomatic individuals who were known close contacts of confirmed cases.

Since May 1, 2009, the DOH has monitored a total of 599 CUOs.  Of these, 54 were positive A (H1N1) cases, 148 have pending laboratory results, and 397 were negative for A(H1N1) and have been discarded.  There are 58 new Cases Under Observation (CUOs) today.

In their latest report dated June 8, the WHO reported 25,288 cases and 139 deaths from 73 reporting countries.  The case fatality rate is .55%. Cayman’s Islands, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and United Arab Emirates are the newest countries with confirmed A (H1N1) cases.

DOH Update No. 35 - Duque Readies DOH for Shift Toward Mitigation

June 08, 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported that the total number of cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in the country has now reached 46 after confirming 13 more cases over the weekend.

“We have reached 46 and although it’s a big number we are fortunate that all of these are just mild cases which are consistent with most of the cases of A (H1N1) we are seeing in other affected countries,” Duque said.

The 13 new confirmed cases include 8 Filipinos and 5 foreigners. Five are females and 8 are males with age range of 12-63 years old. Four of the cases are students of the De La Salle University, while one is the first confirmed case from the East Asia University. Eight of the 13 new cases have history of travel to the US, Japan and Canada.
“All are responding well to treatment. Contact tracing is still on-going,” Duque said. 

Duque announced that with the more complete profile of the A(H1N1) virus seen in local cases, which is mostly mild in nature, the DOH is set to shift its control strategy from containment to mitigation.
“This means that we only do early detection and aggressive treatment of cases as they come especially for those with high-risk preexisting conditions.  Those manifesting with mild symptoms can be managed and monitored at home so that only patients at risk who develop complications will have to be hospitalized,” Duque explained.

With the mitigation strategy, Duque said that government will also veer away from contact tracing and instead focus on controlling the disease as is being done for other emerging and reemerging diseases in the country. “H1N1 will now become part of our Influenza-like Illness (ILI) surveillance activity and one of our notifiable diseases.  It offers little benefit to do extensive tracing of this virus when it is clear that the disease can be passed on to others at a rate faster than it will ever be  humanly possible to find the contacts,” Duque said.

Duque cited the efforts of other affected countries such as the US and Mexico where the number of cases have been increasing so fast.  These countries have managed to curb down the case fatality rate due to A (H1N1) through early diagnosis and antiviral treatment as well as targeted and appropriate management of patients at risk for developing flu complications.

Duque added that with the more complete mild picture of the virus observed among positive cases in La Salle and East Asia University, there may be no need to order school closure in the future even with a confirmed case.

“Sick students can just be asked to stay at home while they have the symptoms, if mild, so that they do not pass on the virus to others.  Of course, they should be closely monitored by their parents and guardians while they are given supportive treatment at home.  School authorities can also contact DOH and report an unusually high number of influenza-like illnesses in their schools so that we can immediately investigate,“ Duque said.

Meanwhile, in light of the A (H1N1) scare which swept over several offices last week,  DOH just recommends isolating a suspected or confirmed case, let them stay home if they are sick.  Duque also advised offices to immediately notify DOH regarding these cases. 
“There is no need to wear masks, quarantine entire rooms or floors and suspend business activities.  All businesses, however, should have a contingency plan to ensure the continuity of their operations,” Duque said.

Duque reiterated that only those who qualify as CUOs including close contacts of confirmed cases are tested and given free treatment and hospitalization in designated DOH referral hospitals.   

At present, DOH includes the following high risk individuals as priority: 1) Those who have flu-like symptoms and have recently travelled from affected countries; 2) Symptomatic individuals who were known close contacts of confirmed cases. As yet there is no community-level outbreak of A (H1N1) as the DOH and local government units are able to contain its spread.

“Again, I emphasize early and appropriate health seeking behavior to the general public as we prepare for the increase in flu cases during the rainy season. For those with only mild symptoms, stay at home, take supportive treatment and vitamins and plenty of bed rest.  If you have preexisting conditions like diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart disease and if you are pregnant or immunocompromised, also those at the extremes of age (i.e. <5 years old and elderly), that’s the time you must go see the doctor immediately,” Duque advised.

Since May 1, 2009, the DOH has monitored a total of 541 CUOs.  Of these, 46 are positive A(H1N1) cases, 98 have pending laboratory results, and 397 are negative for A(H1N1) and have been discarded.  There are 91 new Cases Under Observation (CUOs) today.

In their latest report dated June 3, the World Health Organization reported 21,940 cases and 125 deaths from 69 reporting countries.  Countries which are now included in the list of A (H1N1) affected countries are Barbados, Luxembourg and Saudi Arabia.

DOH - Update No 34 - Duque: No Community-Level A (H1N1) Outbreak Even As New Confirmed Cases Are Reported

05 June 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported four more positive cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in the country bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 33.

One of the 4 new confirmed cases is another student of the De La Salle University (DLSU), a 17 year-old male, who has no history of travel. He manifested mild acute febrile respiratory symptoms on June 2 and consulted a doctor on June 3 heeding the DLSU officials’ advice to its students when it suspended all its classes in Taft. He is presently confined in a health facility and recovering well.

“The three DLSU cases are responding well to their treatments and do not even have fever anymore, including the latest case. Contact tracing though is still in progress,” Duque said.
Duque reiterated that DLSU is the only school that is on a voluntary ten-day suspension due to A (H1N1) at the moment. No other school has approached the Department of Health (DOH) with the same predicament and plan. We also have not confirmed any case involving other schools.

The three other cases all have a history of travel. They all came from the United States. One of them is a foreign national. She is a 29 year-old female, who arrived on June 1 and developed fever and cough shortly thereafter. The remaining two are siblings, a 9 and a 7 year-old, both females, who arrived in the country on June 3. They became ill on June 1 and were screened on arrival and were subsequently brought to a health facility by the Bureau of Quarantine.  All three are recovering from their illness in health facilities.

Meanwhile, Duque assured the public that the DOH is closely coordinating with the Asian Development Bank with regard to its first positive case reported yesterday.   The ADB has already issued its own guidelines to prevent the spread of A (H1N1) among its employees and has been updating the Department on the condition of the positive case.  Twelve contacts have been traced who have mild respiratory symptoms and are now awaiting laboratory results.
 “We stress that only those who will qualify as CUOs including close contacts of confirmed cases will be tested and will receive treatment for free,” Duque said.

Duque explained that with the heighted awareness of the public on the novel influenza virus, more people are getting anxious to get themselves tested. “Government needs to implement a clear protocol that prioritizes the treatment and management of A(H1N1) cases, particularly people at high risk,” Duque said.
At present DOH includes the following high risk individuals as priority: 1) Those who have flu-like symptoms and have recently travelled from affected countries; 2) Symptomatic individuals who were known close contacts of confirmed cases. As yet there is no community-level outbreak of A(H1N1) as the DOH and local government units are able to contain its spread.

“For the general public, especially now that we are entering the rainy season and we expect flu cases to increase, we advise them to stay at home, take supportive treatment and plenty of bed rest if they have mild symptoms.  But if you have preexisting conditions like diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart disease and if you are pregnant or immunocompromised, also those at the extremes of age (i.e. <5 years old and elderly), we recommend that you go to the doctor as soon as symptoms set in,” Duque advised.

Since May 1, 2009, the DOH has monitored a total of 450 CUOs.  Of these, 33 are positive A(H1N1) cases, 76 have pending laboratory results, and 341 are negative for A(H1N1) and have been discarded.  There are 36 new Cases Under Observation (CUOs) today.
In their latest report dated June 3, the World Health Organization reported 19,273 cases and 117 deaths from 66 reporting countries

 

DOH - Update No. 33 - Duque Reports 7 New Cases of Influenza A(H1N1); Reacts to Possible Announcement of Level 6 by WHO

04 June 2009

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today reported seven more positive cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in the country bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 29.

One of the six new confirmed cases is a 20 year-old male international graduate student of the De La Salle University, who is a contact of the first positive case at DLSU. This student also arrived in the country on May 12.  On June 2, he manifested mild respiratory symptoms and consulted a health facility where he was tested for the presence of A (H1N1).  RITM confirmed the test this morning and he is now confined in the health facility.

The other six cases are Filipinos who all have a history of travel to the US.  Three belong to the same family: two females aged 12 and 16; and an 18-year old male.  The other three include a 22 year-old male, a 33 year-old pregnant woman and a 52 year old-female.  All of the six show only mild flu-like symptoms and are now being observed and managed in health facilities.

Duque reiterated that the 10-day suspension of classes is applicable only for the students, faculty and staff of DLSU Manila due to the confirmation of at least one A(H1N1) case.  He reminded all other schools in the country to be on alert for possible cases of A (H1N1) particularly for students and staff who have a history of travel within the last 10 days in affected countries and who are showing flu-like symptoms.

In reaction to a possible Pandemic Level 6 declaration by the World Health Organization, Duque, Chair of the ASEAN + 3 Health Ministers Meeting on A (H1N1) held in Bangkok, Thailand last month, emphasized that this move should be made in the most careful and prudent approach voicing the joint view of the ASEAN + 3 countries for WHO to also consider the severity of the disease and not just the geographic range of the virus.

“We do not want a disproportionately destructive global scare from a virus that has thus far only shown mild symptoms in most of the cases that we are seeing in affected countries.   We do not need at this at a time of great economic crisis and uncertainty.  But at the same time, we should not also underestimate the potential of the virus to become more severe in the future,” Duque said.

In the country, Duque stressed that in all of the 29 confirmed cases, patients manifested only with mild symptoms reflecting the general trend and behavior of the virus in other affected countries.

“With further characterization of the virus in our local cases, if we see that A (H1N1) poses no severe threat and is self-limited in most cases, we may be seeing a shift in our control strategy to outpatient and home management of patients showing only mild symptoms.  This is already being done in countries like Mexico and the US which already have sustained community transmission,” Duque said.

Meanwhile, as the world braces for the WHO’s possible announcement of Pandemic Level 6, Duque reminded other government agencies as well as the business and private sector to consider implementing their business contingency plans. 

In 2006, DOH already convened the heads of major business groups and members of the private sector to help them craft their own business contingency plans during the height of the Avian Flu scare. This Plan will ensure that commercial activities and essential government and non- government services will continue even during a pandemic.

Since May 1, 2009, the DOH has monitored a total of 414 CUOs.  Of these, 29 are positive A(H1N1) cases, 47 have pending laboratory results, and 338 are negative for A(H1N1) and have been discarded.  There are 13 new Cases Under Observation (CUOs) today.

In their latest report, the World Health Organization reported 1,863 new cases and 2 new deaths.  There are now a total of 19,273 cases and 117 deaths from 66 reporting countries.  Bulgaria, Egypt, Lebanon and Nicaragua are the newest countries with confirmed A (H1N1) cases

Update No. 32-Duque Lauds de Salle University Manila for Voluntarily Suspending Classes After Student Turns Positive for A(H1N1)

June 3, 2009

DOH Secretary Duque today lauded school authorities of the De La Salle University (DLSU) Manila at Taft Avenue for implementing a self-imposed temporary suspension of classes for 10 days beginning today after an international exchange student tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1). 

This is in consonance with Response Level 3 of the Guidelines on A (H1N1) for schools which state that school authorities should suspend classes after detection of at least one confirmed case and there is no sustained community transmission.

The new confirmed case is a 21 year-old female foreign student who arrived in the country last May 12.  According to DLSU officials, classes officially started on May 25 for the first trimester of this school year. The foreign student only reported very mild symptoms on May 29 which came to the attention of school authorities. 

The student consulted a health facility on May 31where she was examined and tested for the presence of the virus through a throat swab.  The specimen turned positive for A (H1N1) as confirmed today by RITM.

Duque said that the DOH is currently investigating and doing contact tracing to see if there were other exposed individuals related to this new case.   Initial findings reveal that there is very limited exposure of other students to the confirmed case and that both DOH and school authorities can trace them….

Meanwhile, Duque already met the officials of DLSU to discuss the situation and come up with the next steps to prevent the spread of the virus to other students, faculty and other school staff.

Brother Armin Luistro FSC, President and Chancellor of the De La Salle University, expressed his full cooperation with the DOH on the ongoing containment measures and said that DLSU will immediately invoke the recommended measures contained in the Response Level System in Schools initially released by the DOH last May 31.

Starting tomorrow, June 4, classes will be suspended at the University and will last until June 14 in accordance with the guidelines set by the DOH. 

The De La Salle University has already informed the students and faculty who were in the same class as the confirmed case to do self-monitoring of symptoms at home and to report immediately at designated hotlines if they become ill.

DOH - Update as of June 2, 2009 / DUQUE GOES TO SCHOOL

DUQUE GOES TO SCHOOL AND TEACHES KIDS WAYS TO AVOID A (H1N1) AND W.I.L.D. DISEASES; NO NEW A (H1N1) CASES TODAY
Press Release / 2 June 2009  

Health Secretary Duque today visited public elementary schools to teach schoolchildren how to wash their hands properly and to inspect the sanitation facilities of said schools.

“We are doing these visits to make sure that our children know how to keep themselves from contracting the A (H1N1). It’s easy. Just like what we have been saying: hand washing while singing the happy birthday song twice will scare this flu away,” Duque said.

Duque visited the Andres Bonifacio Elementary School and the Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Manila this morning to give a pep talk to schoolchildren and demonstrate the proper way of washing their hands and the right etiquette when sneezing and coughing.

Duque also reiterated to school teachers and others in the teaching staff to be always cautious against H1N1 and to religiously implement the preventive measures advocated by the Department of Health (DOH) in the guidelines it issued for restraining its spread in schools.

Based on the guidelines, Duque said that the suspension of classes within a school can be announced by the school administrators concerned if there is really one or more A (H1N1) confirmed case and added that at Level 4, where there is already community transmission, the DepEd, CHED and TESDA officials can announce closure of one or more schools in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Duque also cautioned school officials to be vigilant against the so-called WILD diseases during the rainy season. These diseases include Water-borne diseases, Influenza, Leptospirosis and Dengue, all of which cause more deaths and diseases than A (H1N1).

“WILD diseases have been around longer than A (H1N1) and affects young children particularly during this time of year. Actually, proper hand washing and good respiratory manner will protect our children not only from H1N1 but also for most of these diseases,” Duque stressed.

Duque said that the DOH is set to launch its nationwide campaign against dengue tomorrow in anticipation of the increasing number of cases from June until the end of the year.

This campaign advocates the Four-S strategy against dengue: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, Self-protection, Seek early consultation and Saying Yes to fogging only during outbreaks.  

On the other hand, Duque today disclosed that no new confirmed case of A (H1N1) has been reported in the past 24 hours.

“The five confirmed cases reported yesterday are still in health facilities awaiting discharge. The five cases are mild in nature and are responding positively to the treatments given them,” Duque said, adding that eleven cases have been discharged as of today.

Since May 1, 2009, the DOH has monitored a total of 345 CUOs (cases under observation). Of these, 21 are positive A (H1N1) cases, 32 have pending laboratory results, and 292 were negative and have been discarded. There are 20 new COUs as of today.    

In the latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO), it reported 1,900 new cases and 16 deaths. The new deaths were from Mexico and the USA. There are now a total of 17,410 cases and 115 deaths from 62 reporting countries. New countries who have confirmed H1N1 cases are the Bahamas, Bolivia, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Jamaica, Paraguay, Venezuela and Vietnam.

FW: DOH - Update No. 30 - Duque Joins Lapus in Oplan Balilk Eskuela, Confirms Five More Positive Cases

June 1, 2009

On the first day of school, Duque joined DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus during the launch of the Oplan Balik Eskuela to ensure the readiness of schools at all levels to prevent and control Ifluenza A(H1N1) among students.

DOH reminded school administrators to be vigilant against A (H1N1) and to implement the preventive public health measures recommended by DOH in its interim guidelines for controlling the spread of A (H1N1) among students.

Duque also re-oriented DepEd, CHED and TESDA officials and school administrators on the School Response Level System for A (H1N1) which outlines the criteria for suspending classes and the actions expected at different response levels particularly when cases of A (H1N1) are reported in schools and when there is already sustained community transmission.

Based on the DOH recommendation and assessment of local conditions, the suspension of classes within a school can be announced by the school administrators concerned if there is already one or more confirmed case of A (H1N1) (Level 3). At level 4, where there is already community transmission, DepEd, CHED and TESDA officials can announce school closure of one or more schools in the affected area.

Meanwhile, DOH today reported another five additional cases of A (H1N1) brining the total numberof positive cases in the country to 21.

Two of the five confirmed cases were connected to the Taiwanese nationals who tested positive for the virus, a 40 year old female and a 51 year old male. The three others all traveled to the United States, a 19 year old male, a 45 year old and a 39 old female. All five are Filipinos. They are now confined in health facilities where they are receiving Oseltamivir and supportive treatment.

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 immeidately. You can also the DOH Hotline (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002.

Duque disclosed that since May 1, 2009, the DOH has monitored 315 CUOs. Of these, 21 were reported a confirmed cases, 262 were discarded when results came in negative, and 32 still have pending results. There are currently 30 new Cases Under Observation (CUO).

In their latest dated May 29, WHO reported a total of 15,510 cases and 99 deaths from 53 reporting countries.