Two more under watch for H1N1 virus

CEBU, Philippines – Two new cases under observation for possible Influenza A(H1N1) infection are currently confined in a private hospital in Cebu, Department of Health-7 announced yesterday.

This after a six-year-old boy and his 11-year-old brother developed fever and colds during their trip back here from Malaysia.

They were confined in a private hospital last Monday and upon learning that they recently came from an infected country, the hospital took swabs from them and sent these to the DOH-7.

The DOH then forwarded the samples to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for examination.

For the previous six cases reported over the weekend, five tested negative for H1N1 while one is still pending. That makes the number of pending CUOs in Cebu three. Results will be out today, DOH said.

DOH spokeswoman Dr. Cora Lou Kintanar said that it is normal since this time of year is flu season so they are expecting more cases of flu. But Kintanar said that they still have to be cautious and sure to keep Cebu H1N1-free.

Nationwide, the number of CUOs DOH has monitored has reached 120, two of whom were confirmed with H1N1.

On Monday, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III convened the second command conference for H1N1 where they discussed the present situation of the virus in the country.

In Region 7, members of the Regional Disasters Coordinating Council will submit today their preparedness plan which will be consolidated into one RDCC master plan.

Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Representative Dr. Roque Anthony Paradela said that Cebuanos are not panicking despite the reported entry of the virus in the country.

This, he said is because the public is well-informed and understands that there is nothing worth panicking over. They are still not advising the public to buy Tamiflu and use masks.

The Bureau of Quarantine meanwhile has asked police assistance because some of the travelers resent the precautionary measures set at the ports of entry to avert the entry and spread of H1N1.

DOH asked everyone to understand and just follow the procedures of the government to protect everyone from the novel virus. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)