Cebu to handle lab testing of A(H1N1) samples

CEBU, Philippines – Representatives from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) were recently in Cebu to check the facilities and the laboratory where possible processing of swab samples from patients in Central Visayas, who are under observation for the A (H1N1) virus, would be made.

Dr. Cora Lou Kintanar, the spokesperson for the Department of Health on the A (H1N1) cases, said that RITM already assessed the facilities.

Kintanar said that there was no word yet on what would happen but she strongly believes that the representatives were satisfied with what they saw.

If it would be approved, then swab samples would not anymore have to be sent to Manila. Also, it would cater to samples from all over Visayas and not just Region-7.

Kintanar said that this would help RITM since their laboratory had been flooded with samples lately following the increase of cases under observation all over the country.

Also, two medical technicians were already sent to RITM for training.

The facility was used in checking previous viruses like the Avian Flu and the SARS and used for processing of other test samples. 

Further, Kintanar said that there is no need to use their emergency powers in containing patients with symptoms of the A (H1N1) virus.

According to Kintanar, since they already know the trend of the disease and the people are already aware of what to do then practicing their emergency powers is not anymore needed.

Emergency powers of the office include being able to detain people with the symptoms of the flu but refuse to be checked and quarantined, said Kintanar.

She, however, said that they do not need to practice their emergency power anymore since the people are already knowledgeable of the process and what should be done if they display such symptoms.

According to Kintanar, under their emergency power right now is on the non-refusal of the hospitals to accept patients with symptoms and for the monitoring of the supplies and medicine, like in checking the prices of such products that it is not overpriced.

Kintanar also said that even though cases in the country are increasing, there is no need to panic because again “the cases are of the mild form.”

In fact, Kintanar said that the World Health Organization was even hesitant to announce that the A (H1N1) cases in the Philippines should be called Pandemic because the cases are just in the mild form.

Also, this means that there is no cause for panic because cases in other countries have led to death of the patients, said Kintanar.

She explained also that those who have died had past health conditions like hypertension, pneumonia and tuberculosis.

As for the schools, Kintanar said that as of now, there are no reports yet of schools in Central Visayas with cases like the ones in Manila and other regions that needed to suspend their classes.

She said that the schools followed all the guidelines like telling their students to stay first at home if they have symptoms.

Clara Falconi of the Department of Education 7 also said that no school has reported any case of the flu since it started last week.

Falconi also said that they were not aware of schools that have asked some of their students to undergo self-quarantine for the meantime

However, Falconi said that they continue to remind the schools to be alert and do measures to prevent contamination of bacteria like the proper and frequent washing of the hands.

For schools that lack water supply, they advice students to bring a little amount of water enough for them to wash their hands and also a handkerchief to wipe their hands dry and to cover their mouths when coughing.

Dr. Kintanar also said that they advice students, and the general public also, to keep rubbing alcohol, which has 70 percent content, handy.

As of now, there are 25 cases being checked in Central Visayas, but most of these patients are doing self-quarantine while waiting for the results instead of staying in the hospital.

There are no new cases added to the earlier reported four in the region who tested positive. – AJ dela Torre/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)