MANILA, Philippines – Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay ordered yesterday the entire city government to activate its influenza A(H1N1) response plan following confirmation from the Department of Health (DOH) of six flu cases, composed of three residents and three students of a Makati school.
The DOH reported six confirmed cases - two residents of San Miguel Village, one from Barangay Cembo, and three students of Mapua Institute of Technology who are residents of Quezon City .
The three residents all sought treatment at the Makati Medical Center, where they were subjected to throat swabs that tested positive for the A(H1N1) virus by the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine.
The city council approved the release of P10 million from the mayor’s contingency fund to prevent and contain the spread of the disease, including the emergency purchase of needed supplies and medicines.
Binay, who spoke during the Gawad Kalinga Global Summit in Boston, advised residents, visitors and guests of the city to remain calm.
“The city government is ready to respond to this situation, and we encourage everyone to do their share by going to the doctor if you develop flu-like symptoms, going on a voluntary self-quarantine, or by observing basic hygienic practices like washing your hands with soap and covering your mouth when you sneeze,” he said.
Binay also directed city health department head Dr. Ma. Lourdes Salud to make sure that all hotels, malls, buildings and commercial establishments provide liquid hand soaps in their toilets and take all steps needed to minimize the spread of the A(H1N1) virus.
Salud said the city will distribute surgical masks to the city’s public school students and provide liquid soaps in public schools.
She said the city government is preparing for the emergency purchase of additional supplies like surgical masks, soaps, gloves and medicines.
Salud said flyers and other information materials have been distributed and posted in highly visible areas in the barangays, schools, health centers, and other public places in the city.