4th swine flu case in Central Visayas: Bohol woman A(H1N1) positive

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Health-7 announced that a 33-year-old woman in Bohol who just came from Qatar has been stricken with Influenza A (H1N1), raising to four the number of people suffering from the dreaded virus in Central Visayas.

Bohol officials and health authorities said the whereabouts of the woman is now being traced because she was released by the hospital without clearance from the DOH-7.

However, DOH-7 was quick to assure the public that the situation is under its control.

The victim has been identified as a resident of Dauis, Bohol. She arrived in the Philippines from Qatar last May 23.

It was unclear if she was an overseas Filipino worker in Qatar. Authorities could only say that she is not a native of Bohol but got married to a Boholano and had acquired properties there.

Two days after her arrival, she reportedly got fever and was confined in an unnamed hospital in Bohol. The hospital later released her after she recovered from the flu.

But DOH-7 officials said the hospital should have waited for the confirmatory tests from their central office in Manila before discharging the patient.

Health officials expressed concerns that the woman might have gotten into contact with other people.

Bohol Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera said that health authorities are now tracking the victim’s whereabouts to contain the spread of the virus.

The Influenza A (H1N1) virus can spread through droplets in coughs or sneezes. It can linger on telephone sets, table surface and can be transferred through the fingers to the mouth.

Dr. Cora Lou Kintanar, the DOH-7 spokesperson on Influenza A (H1N1), said the woman voluntarily submitted herself to the hospital when she exhibited flu symptoms.

According to Kintanar, swab samples were immediately taken from the patient.

But the results were not released immediately because the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) had a lot of samples to test.

The patient decided to leave the hospital after three days of confinement since she had already recovered from the flu.

Kintanar said that while the patient was still in the hospital, she was already given medication even before the result from the RITM could arrive.

She said that they are presently observing three other suspected cases of swine flu.

Two of the three patients found positive of the virus were discharged last Tuesday after they fully recovered. Their second swab sample tested negative.

The third patient, whose second swab sample also tested negative, could also be discharged soon, said Kintanar.

However, the three were advised to monitor their health for the next few days.

Kintanar also said following the suspension of classes in one of the universities in Manila because of Influenza A (H1N1), they are advising students in the region who just arrived from vacation abroad to stay home for ten days.

Kintanar said they should make sure that they do not exhibit symptoms of the disease before they decided to return to school. — /LPM (THE FREEMAN)