Latest DOH Update on the H1N1 Flu Virus As of May 12, 2009

12 May 2009

These are the latest postings on the new DOH website.  They consist of Update No. 7, the latest dated May 11 and Update Nos. 6 and 5, dated May 10 and May 9, respectively. 

I believe these updates were all posted simultaneously because I remember looking the website during the weekend and did not find Update Nos. 5 and 6 at that time.  There were also times when the new DOH website could not be accessed.  The DOH should work on these problems. 

Anyway, having said that, we owe the DOH a 'Thank you' for just being there and for the effort that they're putting in trying to protect public health during this time of the H1N1 crisis.  

Before you read the updates, here's an interview by Igan Arnold Clavio with Secretary Francisco Duque III of the DOH. The Secretary belied speculation that he purposely did not attend the Pacquiao affair in Malacañang :

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV 

  

Update No. 7 - DOH STATEMENT ON INFLUENZA A (H1N1) MONITORING

11 May 2009

The Department of Health (DOH) today reported three more CUOs (case under observation) since May 1. The total number of CUOs now stands at 23. Nineteen of these CUOs have already tested negative for influenza A (H1N1) virus, and have been discharged, while the remaining four are still under observation with pending laboratory results. 

Twenty-three of the CUOs were observed in DOH designated referral hospitals (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital and Vicente Sotto Medical Center) and the remaining cases were observed in other health facilities. 

The age range of these cases is 2 years to 80 years old. Majority (14/20,70%) of the cases were 8 to 40 years of age. Half (12/23) of the cases were males. There was no reported death.  

The countries of origin of these cases are as follows: USA (7), Republic of Korea (3), Italy (3), Canada (2), Hong Kong (1), Japan (2), Ireland (1), Mexico (1), Switzerland (1), and United Kingdom (2). Eleven of the CUOs were Filipinos.  

The Philippines is still free from Influenza A (H1N1). 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the number of confirmed influenza A (H1N1) cases increased from 3,440 in May 9 to 4,379 in May 10. Aside from Mexico (45) and the US (1), Canada (1) and Costa Rica (1) have started reporting deaths from this novel virus.  The total number of deaths is now 49 deaths. Currently, the US has the highest number of cases (2,254). However, fatality in the US remains low (2/1,639, 0.2%) as compared to Mexico (45/1,626, 2.8%).  

Twenty-nine countries have already reported confirmed influenza A (H1N1). These countries include: Austria, Canada, Hong Kong, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Brazil, Poland, Argentina, Australia, Japan, and Panama. 

The DOH will continue to intensify its surveillance in ports, airports and the community so that cases of influenza A (H1N1) are detected early and appropriate control measures implemented immediately. 

 

UPDATE NO. 6

May 10, 2009 DOH STATEMENT ON INFLUENZA A (H1N1) MONITORING 

 

The Department of Health (DOH) today reported three more CUOs (case under observation) since May 1. The total number of CUOs now stands at 23. Fifteen of these CUOs have already been tested negative for influenza A (H1N1) virus, while the remaining eight are still under observation with pending laboratory results. 

Twenty of the CUOs were observed in DOH designated referral hospitals (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital and Vicente Sotto Medical Center) and the remaining cases were observed in other health facilities. 

The age range of these cases is 2 years to 80 years old. Majority (14/20,70%) of the cases were 8 to 40 years of age. Half (12/23) of the cases were males. There was no reported death.  

The countries of origin of these cases are as follows: USA (7), Republic of Korea (3), Italy (3), Canada (2), Hong Kong (1), Japan (2), Ireland (1), Mexico (1), Switzerland (1), and United Kingdom (2). Eleven of the CUOs were Filipinos.  

The Philippines is still free from Influenza A (H1N1). 

On the other hand, the number of confirmed influenza A (H1N1) cases reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) has increased from 2,500 in May 8 to 3,440 in May 9 with 48 deaths. Currently, the US has the highest number of cases (1,639). However, fatality in the US remains low (2/1,639, 0.2%) as compared to Mexico (45/1,364, 3.6%).  

Twenty-nine countries have already reported confirmed influenza A (H1N1). These countries include: Austria, Canada, Hong Kong, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Brazil, Poland, Argentina, Australia, Japan, and Panama. 

The DOH will continue to intensify its surveillance in ports, airports and the community so that cases of influenza A (H1N1) are detected early and appropriate control measures implemented immediately. 

 

UPDATE NO. 5

May 9, 2009 DOH STATEMENT ON INFLUENZA A (H1N1) MONITORING 

 

The Department of Health (DOH) today reported three more CUOs (case under observation) since May 1. The total number of CUOs now stands at 20. Fifteen of these CUOs have already been tested negative for influenza A (H1N1) virus, while the remaining five are still under observation. 

Seventeen of the CUOs were observed in DOH designated referral hospitals (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital and Vicente Sotto Medical Center) and the remaining cases were observed in private health facilities. 

The age range of these cases is 8 years to 80 years old. Majority (14/20,70%) of the cases were 8 to 40 years of age. Ten (10/20) of the cases were males. There was no reported death.  

The countries of origin of these cases are as follows: USA (7), Republic of Korea (3), Italy (3), Canada (2), Hong Kong (1), Ireland (1), Mexico (1), Switzerland (1), and United Kingdom (1). Eleven of the CUOs were Filipinos.  

As of May 8, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 2,500 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) in 25 countries with 46 deaths. The countries include: Austria, Canada, Hong Kong, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Brazil, and Poland. 

Of these countries, Mexico has the highest number of reported cases (1,204) and deaths (44).

Stay safe always wherever you are and God bless.

UPDATE

28 June 2009

I've noticed that some of this blog's readers end up here when looking for the latest updates on H1N1 in the Philippines.  It's because of the words "Latest DOH Update" in the title.  

For those of you who have turned up here when obviously you were looking for fresher news, you can search this blog by supplying the date, say, "H1N1 June 26" for example. Or, simply type "H1N1" if you want to read any of the H1N1-related posts; for older articles, type "swine flu" which was the term generally used during the early days of this flu pandemic.

I've changed my opinion of the DOH since the time I made the above post.  Please read my post entitled Let's Support the Call for an H1N1 Summit in the Philippines — Secrecy and Ignorance Cannot Defeat an Unseen Viral Enemy.     

There are things that the DOH can do a  lot better to provide greater protection against H1N1 to the general public. I hope DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III sees the light before things get any worse. 

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Maria Ressa Brings Great Credibility to ABS-CBN's "Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo" But How Will She Handle a Case Similar to That Faced by Cheche Lazaro?

11 May 2009

Maria Ressa is a respected voice in journalism, not just here but around the world.  I have only the highest regard for her and her presence at the helm of ABS-CBN's Current Affairs lends a powerful voice to the Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula initiative. 

But does everyone in ABS-CBN see things the way she does?  For example, will Ms. Ressa herself listen to and air the appeal of somebody like me who's having problem with the way the DepEd is curtailing the rights of parents when they oppose tuition fee increases?  I guess this is a deviation from the topic of the election but right on target when it comes to the issue of individual persons pushing small, incremental changes in our society. I once was interviewed (two years ago) by an ABS-CBN reporter on the issue of tuition fee only to be told later that my story could not be aired because I was "alone" in pursuing the issue.  I hope Ms. Ressa has a different viewpoint. 

To get back on track, given the simple concept of Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo as stated by Ms. Ressa:   

The idea for Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo was simple: get the people to care and to take action.  It’s people power with new technology!  If you see something wrong or something good, tell us about it.  If you see someone trying to buy the votes, snap a picture on your cellphone and send it to us.  If you see a town mayor using public vehicles for his campaign, shoot video with your cellphone and send it to us.  If you see violence, tell us about it, and after a verification process, we will put it to air.  Two months into the 4-month campaign, we received reports from the provinces that Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo helped level the playing field where incumbents were running after we ran a story with the cellphone picture of city resources used for campaigns.  So cellphones became effective weapons!

how will ABS-CBN defend people who participate in Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula in the event that legal charges, say, illegal wiretapping, are filed against them by the people they are covering? 

I have to ask this question because Cheche Lazaro of ABS-CBN is actually facing such a situation now with the illegal wiretapping case filed against her by an official of GSIS concerning her coverage of Manila school teachers. Ms. Lazaro's case is more compelling because she appears to be the only person facing charges now after charges against ABS-CBN executives were dropped by the public prosecutor who handled the case.

My personal position on this matter is that citizen journalism through the use of cellphones and other similar devices to expose wrongdoing and deter abuse should be afforded legal protection by our laws. What is ABS-CBN's strategy to deal with this matter considering that we still have in place a strict anti-wiretapping law?

I know Maria Ressa has an answer and I hope she shares it with me ... with all of us. I have my own answer as I'm sure you have yours and I hope she's interested to hear from me ... from all of us.  My email address is rollyocampo@yahoo.com. 

 

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