WHO declares new pandemic

From the last time this columnist wrote about swine flu a month ago, the number of positive cases worldwide has ballooned from 1,569 in 23 countries to almost 29,000 people in 74 countries! On the other hand, the number of deaths from swine flu has also increased from only 31 cases in May 9 to 144 deaths, according to the latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO). If one views the interactive WHO Outbreak Map, we will be astonished at how the infection has quickly spread in many countries across the globe since the first outbreak in Mexico was identified last April. It is no wonder that despite other more noxious diseases like dengue and the common flu, the swine flu is now considered more deadly and life threatening, with no clear end in sight yet for the vaccine.

WHO Chief Dr. Margaret Chan and experts led by Flu Chief Keiji Fukuda, upon seeing a rapid spread of the virus in Australia and Chile, as well as the unusual rise in cases of severe illness in Canada, finally acknowledged the first flu pandemic in 41 years, meaning the spread of the virus is, at present, unstoppable. At the same time, WHO warns governments against overreacting to the term “pandemic”. Alert level 6 for swine flu, by world standards set by WHO as pandemic, indicates the rapid spread of the virus geographically, but should not connote how lethal or toxic it now is. Furthermore, the world already has pandemics of AIDS and malaria for a long period of time now and together they kill around three million people a year and infect millions more, but there is no panic. Likewise, WHO reminds the world not to panic even if a flu pandemic has been declared. What worries health experts are the deaths occurring in previously healthy adults. They have also observed that the flu virus is gradually becoming entrenched in communities, with newly infected people having no known contact at all with any confirmed cases.

Filipinos had frivolously thought that our country is not a good breeding place for the swine flu due to the humidity, just as the SARS and the avian flu did not cause us problems four to five years ago. Doctors commented that we have the advantage of “herd immunity” because of the flu immunizations that have been propagated since two or three years ago, giving us some level of protection from the contagion. But we are surprised that the number of confirmed cases of flu infection here has increased as well, with 92 cases currently under close watch, per the latest official report from our Department of Health (DOH) from the time the first positive case was identified early last month. DOH reports that most of the cases were mild and those who were found positive for the virus have quickly recovered. We also have no recorded casualties to date. What worries me is the fact that five big universities now have had to suspend newly opened classes due to infected students; aside from this, even some companies also reported the presence of the virus in their buildings. In GSIS, our medical team had earlier given all its officers and employees free influenza vaccines last month with no exception, otherwise absentees would have to secure the vaccination at their own cost. Medical staff are also posted in the building’s entrances to screen visitors coming in. Other companies can follow the precautionary measures taken by GSIS to help prevent the spread of the virus.

We have a pandemic, but it is difficult to stop people from travelling or keep suspending business; life must go on, we just have to cope with the problems as best as we can. Disease surveillance and tracking is the key to tackling the spread of the virus. In schools, more emphasis must be given to health, sanitation and hygiene, an important subject matter during my time. Reminding people about the precautionary measures cannot sound incessant enough; it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, everyone must wash their hands extremely well and often, use sanitizers and alcohol-based cleansers, avoid contact with sick people, avoid touching your mouths, nose and eyes, use face masks as much as possible especially in closed or crowded places, or better yet, avoid being in these places, stay healthy and clean, be health-conscious. See the doctor as soon as the symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue are felt. Keep updated and know the basic facts!