May 18, 2009 - Latest DOH Update on the H1N1 Flu Virus

18 May 2009

This is the latest update on the H1N1 flu virus from the  new DOH website:

H1N1 Update No. 14 

18 May 2009

From May 1, 2009 to date, a total of 62 cases under observation (CUOs) at different government and private hospitals had their specimen tested at RITM. Sixty one were found to be negative for the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. One case still has pending laboratory result.              

The above cases had history of travel from the following countries with confirmed influenza A (H1N1) cases: Australia, Canada, China (Mainland), HongKong SAR, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America.              

Globally, the World Health Organization has reported three new countries with confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1): India, Malaysia and Turkey. The total number of confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case reported in 39 countries is now 8, 480. This is 3 % higher compared with the number of case reported the previous day (8,451). This day, most (11/29) of the new confirmed cases were from Panama. There were no new reported deaths.  The total number of deaths from Influenza A (H1N1) affected countries is still 72. 

The threat of Influenza A (H1N1) is getting nearer our country. In the western Pacific region where the Republic of the Philippines is located, there are already 6 countries affected. These are Malaysia, China, Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. This is the very reason why the Department of Health remains vigilant in its guard against the possible entry of Influenza A (H1N1) to our country. Thus, the DOH reiterates that all incoming passengers from countries with confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) should closely monitor their health status for 10 days from arrival. Should they develop flu-like signs and symptoms, they are advised to seek medical consult early for prompt testing for Influenza A (H1N1) and immediate institution of proper medical management.  

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Health Influenza A (H1N1) Surveillance Progress ReportAs of May 18, 2009, 8:00 am  Summary Statistics 

Status of CUOs:			Affected Country of Origin	No. of CUO
No. still under observation	1		Australia	1
No. Discarded	61		Canada	2
Total No. of CUOs	62		China (Mainland)	2
			Germany	1
No. of laboratory tests done	62		Hong Kong	8
No. with pending laboratory results	1/62		Ireland	1
No. positive for Influenza A (H1N1)	0		Italy	4
			Japan	2
No. of Filipinos	34/62		Korea	6
			Malaysia	2
			Mexico	2
Sex:    Males	36/62(58%)		Netherlands	1
Females	26 (42%)		Spain	1
Age range:	11 mos.-81 years		Switzerland	1
			UK	4
			USA	24

 Prepared by:                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Noted by:                                                 ___________________________                                       ______________________________                              ____________________________________________        Edna M. Lopez, RN                                                          Vito G. Roque, Jr., MD, PHSAE                                       Enrique A. Tayag, MD, FPSMID, PHSAE   Approved by:                                                                                                                                                ________________________________________________Usec. Mario C. Villaverde, MD, MPH, MPM, CESO I                             Summary of Cases 

Case No	Date of Arrival	Date Reported	Age/Sex	NationalityFilipino (Y/N)	Affected Country of Origin	Place of Observation/Referring Hospital	Region	Classification	Outcome
	New Cases as of May 18, 2009
58	May 14	May 15	28/M	N	China	Private Hospital	Region 7	Not A H1N1	Discarded*
59	May 10	May 15	32/M	Y	USA	Private Hospital	Region 10	Not A H1N1	Discarded
60	May 16	May 16	6/M	N	Malaysia	Regional Hospital	Region 9	Not A H1N1	Discarded
61	May 16	May 16	20/M	Y	Malaysia	Regional Hospital	Region 9	Not A H1N1	Discarded
62	May 16	May 16	11mo/M	Y	Japan	RITM	Cavite	Pending	CUO**

   * Discarded – patient is not a case of Influenza A H1N1

** CUO – case is still under observation

end

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Delay in the NBI's Release of Its Trina Investigation Findings Beginning to Hurt Its Image of Credibility, Competence and Independence

14 May 2009

Delays in the NBI's release of the results of its investigations in the Trina shooting case have begun to tarnish its image of credibility, competence and independence in the eyes of the Failon family, the media and the public in general. This is the NBI's fault since it made the public believe that its report would have been out by now but so far, it has come up with nothing.   

In the video report below, there is a statement of Kaye Failon (I have grown accustomed to calling her using Ted's screen surname) wherein she said, "It's been 27 days since my mother passed away and until now me, my father, along with the rest of the immediate family haven't begun to grieve because of the investigation surrounding my mother's death."

Kaye continued, "At a time when our family should be spending private moments with each other, helping each other cope and finally move on, we instead spend our time cooperating with the NBI."

This statement by Kaye is now markedly removed from her earlier initial assessment of the NBI in this post, Kaye Failon Thanks NBI for their Professionalism as Ted Failon Answers Probers Questions.

This ABS-CBN video report discusses in more detail the basis for the growing impatience with the NBI:

These video clips from GMAnews.tv show earlier developments in the case:

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

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

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

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

The statements attributed to DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales to the effect that "Ted Failon is not yet off the hook," has not made the NBI's job any easier. 

After all, how many subordinates would be eager to disprove the word of their boss who, up to now, apparently conjures in his mind images of a guilty Ted Failon in spite of the massive absence of evidence with which to pin him down? Proof beyond reasonable doubt is the quantum of proof required to convict in a criminal charge. Even the shadow of that proof is no longer available to the NBI — negative paraffin tests, two top forensic experts saying it was most probably a suicide, negative gunpowder residue in Ted Failon's clothes, video clip submitted by the Failon family showing that Trina was ambidextrous indicating she was probably capable of firing a gun using not only her left hand, but also her right hand.  

The earlier the NBI releases its report, the better it will be for all of us.

We need Ted Failon back in his radio and TV posts where he serves our country best and his children back safely with the thought that, without their mother, there is this entire nation ready to rally to their cause once more whenever unexpected aggravation and difficulties abound.       

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