PHILIPPINES RISING (Taga Monumento): first H1N1 case

Showing posts with label first H1N1 case. Show all posts

Friday, July 3, 2009

First Senate Employee Confirmed Positive with H1N1 Flu Virus, July 3, 2009

BREAKING NEWS

3 July 2009

Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile confirmed today that an employee of the Senate Economic Planning Office is the first confirmed case of H1N1 infection in the Philippine Senate.

Senator Enrile said that the Senate will remain open in spite of this development. I've been to the Senate several times during the past month and there are no thermal scanners installed and no one conducts temperature checks of staff and visitors with hand-held thermometers. I believe that is going to change.

More on this breaking news in this article from the Inquirer and this one from GMANews.tv:

There is now more reason than ever for the Senate Health Committee headed by Senator Loren Legarda to conduct a full-blown hearing on the issue of H1N1. The menace is right within their home.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Senator Legarda Appeals to the DOH to "Bombard People with right info on swine flu" — YES! — Start with Flight No. of First Confirmed H1N1 Case in RP

27 May 2009

While browsing the Senate website, I ran accross this press release by the office of Senator Loren Legarda. Senator Legarda is Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and what she says about the matter is important:

Press Release
May 22, 2009
Loren asks DOH: Bombard people with right info on swine flu
Senator Loren Legarda yesterday said that Filipinos must take the first confirmed case of swine flu infection in the country calmly, while taking sanitary precautions like the frequent washing of hands and the use of face masks if applicable.
"The Department of Health must seek the help of media - radio, television and newspapers - to disseminate precautionary guidelines and on what should be done when swine flu infection is suspected," said Loren.
"This is one instance when the people wouldn't mind being bombarded with information by DOH. There's no such thing as information overload when it comes to swine flu. But the important thing is that our people are getting the right information."
The chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Loren added that Filipinos must also work to improve their immune system by exercising, having a balanced diet and getting plenty of rest.
"Being healthy certainly helps in view of reports that most of the 80 deaths worldwide associated with swine flu arose from complications with other ailments," she said.
As the symptoms of swine flu are very similar to common flu cases, Loren said that all Filipinos who feel feverish must immediately seek medical attention.
"The important thing is for us not to disregard symptoms as just a case of the common cold. It's better to err on the side of caution on this matter."
"But what are the symptoms? What should people do, step by step, if they suspect possible infection? The DOH must inform the people because false information can sow panic and complicate our efforts to contain the spread of the virus."
Loren said that the Philippines dealt well with the SARS and avian flu scare, but that health authorities must double their efforts against swine flu.
The senator said health officials must note how the virus quickly spread in Japan from just four confirmed cases to over 200 cases at present in at least three major cities.

Yesterday, before I learned about this press release, I called up the office of Senator Legarda to ask her help in asking the DOH to give the people more information on the H1N1 confirmed cases. I was told by her staff that Senator Legarda is out of the country but they asked me to communicate with them formally so they can refer the matter to the Senator.

Just today, we have news telling us of Singapore's first confirmed case of H1N1. What did the Singaporean health authorities do? UNLIKE THE PHILIPPINES, they informed not just the Singaporean public but the entire world IMMEDIATELY about the flight which brought the patient from New York to Singapore - the flight is Singapore Airlines SQ 25 which arrived from New York on May 26.

Dito po sa Pilipinas, hanggang ngayon MYSTERY FLIGHT NO. 1 and MYSTERY FLIGHT NO. 2 for the first two confirmed H1N1 cases.

The DOH wants us to be VIGILANT using GUESSWORK and CONJECTURE. Hindi po tama ito at dapat tigilan na ng DOH ang pagtrato sa ating mga Pilipino na para tayong mga TANGA!

Even Tamiflu itself or Oseltamivir, which, in the absence of a vaccine, is the anti-viral drug of choice in combating the effects of H1N1 flu, does not appear to be widely available even now when we already have two confirmed H1N1 cases in the Philippines. I asked a large branch of Mercury Drug yesterday, May 26, in Caloocan City and Tamiflu still costs P150.50 per capsule but they did not have it, referring me instead to their flagship branch in the MCU area.

Full-course treatment with Tamiflu requires taking ten pills which will cost the patient P1,505.00, something beyond the reach of the vast majority of Filipinos. By now, the DOH should have its stockpile distributed to DOH hospitals at least in key city centers so that people who might need them will have them available for free. The DOH by now should have fully informed us of their plans in this regard. Tamiflu is most effective against influenza A, which is the type of influenza under which H1N1 falls, if taken during the first two days of the flu. Beyond that, its effectiveness diminishes. The DOH should also have instructed all of us Filipinos about it by now.

We expect Senator Loren Legarda to speak out publicly, preferably in person, over this vital issue involving public interest as soon as she can! The same goes true for our other Senators, they are welcome to show and express their concern!

Habang abala po tayo sa pagsubaybay sa Hayden Kho - Katrina Halili scandal, hindi po natin dapat kalimutan ang ibang mahahalagang usapin katulad ng pag-iingat sa H1N1, tuition fee increase moratorium (NA MUKHANG KINALIMUTAN NA NG LAHAT), Pre-Need Scandal hindi lang sa Legacy kundi sa CAP, Permanent Plans, CHA-CHA, VFA, ang mapanganib na bantang pagbubukas ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, atbp.

Gising mga kababayan!

Lalaban tayo!

Ganito kami sa Makati!

Ayoko ng may inaabuso! Tulungan natin sila!

Ang KABATAAN dapat aasahan na ng bayan!

Ano pa ba mga slogan natin?!

Mabilis na AKSYON po at SOLUSYON ang kailangan mula sa ating mga opisyal lalo na 'yung magsisitakbo ng Presidente, Bise-Presidente at Senador sa 2010 at hindi slogan lang!

HUWAG N'YONG BIGKASIN LANG KUNDI TUPARIN N'YO PO ANG SINASABI NG SLOGAN NINYO PARA MANIWALA KAMI AT BAKA (PERHAPS, MAYBE, PROBABLY) MAIBOTO PA NAMIN KAYO!

NGAYON NA PONG 2009 DAHIL MATAGAL PA ANG 2010!

Friday, May 22, 2009

First Confirmed H1N1 Case in the Philippines — Bakit sa Malaysia Sinabi Yung Airlines & Flight No. Nung First H1N1 Case, Bakit sa Pilipinas, Hindi?

22 May 2009

At the end of this post is the latest update as of May 22 in the new DOH website. It is dated May 21 but I'm sure it was posted only today.

What is evident in this latest update by the DOH is that IT DOES NOT TELL US THE AIRLINES AND FLIGHT NO. which brought this 10-year old girl back home to the Philippines.

Let's compare this first H1N1 case handling by the Philippine DOH with the first H1N1 case handling by Malaysia, our next-door neighbor.

This is a screenshot of a ChannelNewsAsia video report on May 15, 2009:

This are two screenshots of a Star video report on May 15, 2009 clearly identifying Malaysia Airline flight MH091 from Newark, New Jersey, USA as the flight taken by the first Malaysia H1N1 case patient:

and asking the passengers of said flight to contact the Health Ministry at its hotlines:

This is the video clip of the Star report from youtube:

Why is it that the Malaysians could disclose the airlines and flight no. which took the first H1N1 case patient to Malaysia from the United States while here in the Philippines, the health authorities have, so far, told us nothing?!

Paano tayo magiging VIGILANT kung WALA TAYONG ALAM?!!!

To sum up, heto po yung detalye nung first Malaysian H1N1 case:

MALAYSIA FIRST H1N1 CASE

Patient Name : Undisclosed

Age : 21

Country of Origin : United States

City of Origin : Newark, New Jersey, USA

Destination : Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Airlines : Malaysian Airlines

Flight No. : MH091

Arrival Date : May 13, 2009

Arrival Time : 7:15am

This is the first Philippines H1N1 case:

PHILIPPINES FIRST H1N1 CASE

Patient Name : Undisclosed (Understandable because she's a child)

Age : 10

Country of Origin : United States

City of Origin : Not disclosed to the public (why?)

Destination : NAIA or maybe, Centennial (probably)

Airlines : Not disclosed to the public (why?)

Flight No. : Not disclosed to the public (why?)

Arrival Date : May 18, 2009

Arrival Time : Not disclosed to the public (why?)

What is the difference between Malaysia and the Philippines?

The Malaysians have a better right to know? Bakit?!

Ok, here now, is the latest update on as of May 22 in the new DOH website.

UPDATE NO. 18 - RP's FIRST H1N1 CASE

21 May 2009
The Department of Health is officially announcing this evening the first confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines.
A female traveler arrived in the Philippines on May 18, Monday, from the United States and Canada. A throat specimen was collected, and was tested at the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) on May 20, Wednesday, after she developed fever, sore throat and cough.
Today, RITM confirmed that the specimen tested positive for the novel Influenza A (H1N1) on PCR using the primers sent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
She was immediately started on an antiviral, Oseltamivir, and given supportive care. At this time, the patient is continuously being monitored. She no longer has fever or cough, but still has sore throat.
The DOH would like to emphasize that there is no community level outbreak in the country and measures are being done by the government to prevent transmission, starting with the quarantine of household close contacts.
The family of the patient has been informed and advised about the situation. We would like to thank them for their cooperation and willingness to comply with the recommendations of the DOH. They were advised to observe self-monitoring, home quarantine, social distancing, proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette procedures.
We appeal to our media partners and the rest of the nation to respect the privacy and anonymity of the patient and her family. Rest assured that any information vital to protect public health and safety will be appropriately shared to those concerned.
The DOH also stresses that the discovery of this first case of Influenza A(H1N1) in the Philippines is something we have been preparing for and is a result of the collective efforts of both public and private sectors as well as the effective surveillance system which we have put in place.
The DOH has already notified the International Health Regulations (IHR) and will submit its official report in 24 hours.
Influenza A (H1N1) is currently affecting 41 other countries with 11,034 cases and 85 deaths. Thus far, the behavior of the virus is to cause generally mild illness and low mortality (<1%)>
This development only shows the vulnerability of all countries to the threat of Influenza A (H1N1) which indicates that no nation and no government should be complacent. Thus, we continue to strengthen our systems for surveillance, early detection and management and effective response. We are also closely coordinating with the WHO, other agencies of government and the private sector to effectively combat the virus.
Our stockpiles of Oseltamivir is currently sufficient at 1 million capsules and have been distributed in regional hubs all over the country. We would like to remind the public that Oseltamivir may only be dispensed and taken upon the advice of your doctor. Irrational use can result in drug resistance that causes the drug to become ineffective in the future.
We reiterate to the public that government is on top of the situation and everyone is advised to be vigilant. If you have arrived from an affected country and develop flu-like symptoms (or TRANGKASO) such as fever, sore throat and cough, immediately consult a medical professional or call the DOH Hotline at (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002.
This situation is evolving globally. We will give regular updates to the media and the public as information becomes available.
To know more about Influenza A(H1N1), you may go to the DOH Influenza A(H1N1) Website at www.doh.gov.ph/h1n1

Thursday, May 21, 2009

First Confirmed H1N1 Case in the Philippines Announced by DOH Secretary Duque from Switzerland

BREAKING NEWS

21 May 2009 11:27pm, Manila time, 15:32pm GMT

The inevitable has happened — speaking from Geneva, Switzerland, DOH Secretary Duque has announced the first confirmed H1N1 flu virus case in the Philippines involving a 10-year old girl who has returned from the United States on May 18.

Ces Oreña Drilon and Henry Omaga-Diaz has just reported on this major breaking news at ABS-CBN's Bandila just a few minutes ago.

I made a Google search and this Reuters report datelined 21 May 2008 14:50:57 GMT appears to be the only thing on the Internet about it as I write this blog post:

MANILA, May 21 (Reuters) - The Philippines has recorded its first case of the new H1N1 flu virus, a 10-year-old girl who had returned from a trip to the United States and Canada, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said on Thursday.
The Filipino girl returned on May 18 and was stopped at the airport when found to be suffering from a fever, sore throat and a cough, Duque told reporters. He said the girl was confirmed to be suffering from H1N1 on Wednesday but was recovering. (Reporting by Manny Mogato; Editing by Paul Tait)

I am presuming that this young girl has been given Tamiflu and it's a good thing she appears to be alright.

I remember Ces Oreña-Drilon saying that the child is not being named for reasons of privacy which is well and good.

However, I believe that the Flight Number and Name of Airlines which brought this girl home from the United States (or Canada) should have been announced publicly so that those who were in it would know immediately about the situation and present themselves voluntarily or contact the nearest hospital or DOH office. That is the quickest way to "contact trace" these people. I believe it is a tactical error on the part of the DOH not to have done this. I guess we're losing valuable time and the opportunity to contain this may be slipping away.

The longer this probably-contaminated batch of people are exposed to the local populace here, the greater the chances of the spread of local contamination in case these people already carry the H1N1 virus.

I hope I'm wrong but if the item below is an indication of our capabilities, then I believe this H1N1 flu virus might be catching us flat-footed.

At this time, 11:52pm, Manila time (15:52pm, GMT), this is the update we have at the new DOH website:

Update No. 17 - Influenza A(H1N1) Monitoring

May 21, 2009
As of May 21, the Department of Health has identified seven new cases under observation, five of whom were from NCR, one from Region 6 and one from Region 8. All cases had history of travel from Influenza A (H1N1) affected countries. Four of the new cases’ laboratory test results for Influenza A (H1N1), together with three cases reported previously, are still pending. All other previous cases tested negative for Influenza A (H1N1). While the intensive laboratory testing procedures for individuals possibly infected with Influenza A (H1N1) is on-going, the DOH reiterates that influenza-like illness monitoring at the community level is also enhanced. This is to ensure that outbreaks of influenza are detected early and control measures are implemented immediately.