Swine flu tests, tesults due today - DOH

CEBU, Philippines - The test results of two of three people now quarantined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center who are under observation for the Influenza A H1N1 virus will hopefully be out today.

This was according to the Department of Health Emergency Management Coordinator Dr. Expedito Medalla, who said that the results will come from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Manila.

The DOH-7 sent the swab samples of only two people since the wife of the overseas Filipino worker from Ireland did not need to be tested because she is not suffering from any symptoms.

 DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta clarified that the woman was quarantined along with her husband upon arrival at the Mactan International Airport even though she had no fever, because she had close contact with him.

The two arrived on board a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong connecting from Ireland. 

The third person in quarantine is a British woman, who has been staying in Cebu for a week and voluntarily submitted herself after suspecting that she has the flu because of previous visits to Hong Kong and Mexico.

Madarieta once again asked the public to remain calm and not panic.

She assured that once the results are out, they will inform the public whether they come out positive or negative.

Madarieta said that as of now, the three are under observation, but said that the Caucasian woman is improving.

The Briton is reportedly not anymore suffering from cough.

The patients are only taking supportive medicine for their cough and fever and not Tamiflu (the vaccine for the flu), said Madarieta.

The DOH regional head also advised the public that if they are not feeling well, then they should not leave the country to avoid complications when they reach other nations.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with representatives of private hospitals here in Cebu, the North General Hospital has volunteered its services for probable patients of the virus.

Although there are no confirmed results yet, Madarieta said that the offer of the North General Hospital would help a lot if there would be an outbreak.

Madarieta also acknowledged the other private hospitals that have shown support and are have also made their preparedness plans.

Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) regional director Emmanuel Labella said that they are also strict with those leaving the country and not only with those arriving.

He said that if a person, who is about to leave would exhibit symptoms of the flu they would also immediately isolate that individual.

The OFW is from Tangub City, Misamis Occidental and came home for a surprise visit.

He reportedly started to feel ill while on board the plane from Hong Kong to Cebu.

Madarieta said that while they are waiting for the test results from RITM, they have already asked for the passenger manifest of Cathay Pacific flight 921.

“We are now verifying the couple’s seat numbers and tracking down the names of those seating near them. So if ever these persons under investigation are confirmed positive of the H1N1 virus, we can easily track down those who have come in contact with them while at the plane,” Madarieta said.

BOQ’s Labella said, “The number of passengers brought and checked if qualified for departure has increased in our station.”

Labella and MCIA however clarified that they focus, at the moment, more on monitoring arriving passengers of international flights. There are no restrictions on domestic flights as it is still not confirmed if the country is infected or not.

The MCIA is providing information and instruction sheets to all arriving passengers. This is to inform them of the current measures the airport is implementing to prevent the entry of the H1N1 virus in the country.

The bus terminals in Cebu are also preparing and creating a system that will be implemented in case of an outbreak of the swine flu.—/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)