A(H1N1) test results of Australian awaited

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Officials of the Eastern Visayas Medical Center said they are still waiting for the results of the confirmatory test by the Research Institute on Tropical Medicine (RITM) on a 51-year-old Australian national who has shown flu-like symptoms of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Dr. Jane Borrenaga, the hospital’s OIC chief, said they will issue an official statement once the test results arrive.

She said the patient though is doing well, except for a mild flu and fever.

“(There’s) nothing to be alarmed of. But of course as part of the process, he had to undergo a confirmatory test,” she added.

The hospital has admitted three other suspected A(H1N1) cases, but one of them, a 47-year-old American, was discharged last Sunday after testing negative for the virus.

The Australian national arrived in the country last May 28 and proceeded to the hometown of his fiancée in Hernani, Eastern Samar. But three days later, he experienced high fever and colds, Dr. Alberto de Leon, hospital chief, said.

He said the Australian was brought to a private hospital in this city last Monday, and the doctor who examined him “informed us about his condition, that he was suffering from high fever.”

De Leon said the foreigner was immediately brought to the hospital and placed in an isolation room.