DOH Declares Low-Level H1N1 Community Outbreak in Metro Manila Even as Sen. Gordon Reiterates Wisdom of Deferring School Opening

24 June 2009

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III now admits that there is what he calls a "low-level H1N1 community outbreak in Metro Manila" particularly in schools, colleges and universities.

Nanaykupo!  Bakit parang matagal nang obvious 'yang ganyang ibinabalita ng DOH?!

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

The DOH made this declaration even as Senator Richard Gordon reiterated the wisdom of his earlier stand that the opening of classes should have been deferred.  Had that advice been heeded or seriously considered, we would not be seeing the spectre of so many children getting sick left and right and schools opening and closing almost at will.

It's about time that the Senate hold its own inquiry into the state of our public health given the now rampaging H1N1 menace. This is especially important since Congress, which held a one-day public hearing on H1N1 last Monday, has shut itself down after one of its employees became the Philippines' first H1N1-related fatality.

It's about time that our policy-makers get to know what cytokine storms are which has been linked to the deaths of millions of healthy young men and women during the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic.  (More on this very important topic when I return.  I've actually made a post on this a few days ago.  You can find it here if you type "cytokine storm" in the Search box of this blog).

DOH, Gising!  DepEd and CHED, Gising! Senado, Gising!

 

   

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Did Taiwanese Mother and Daughter Flu H1N1 Cases Attend a Yoga Session in Manila or Not? Duque Says No, Taiwan CDC Says Yes!

25 May 2009

Secretary Francisco Duque III has been doing a yeoman's job in the present H1N1 crisis but there are things he is not telling us. 

Below is Update No. 22 of the DOH dated May 25, 2009 and here, Secretary Duque continues to tell us that "on further investigation, the Department of Health was informed that the Taiwanese nationals did not attend a yoga workshop in the Philippines": 

Update No. 22 -PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF INFLUENZA A (H1N1) IN THE PHILIPPINES

May 25, 2009

As of May 25, the Department of Health has identified ten new Cases Under Observation (CUO), eight of whom are from NCR, one from Region I and one from Region VII. Since May 1, the DOH has monitored 113 CUOs, two of whom were confirmed cases of A(H1N1). Fifteen CUOs still have pending laboratory results, the remaining 96 have been discarded since they are negative for Influenza A(H1N1).

Globally, the World Health Organization reported a total of 12,022 cases and still 86 deaths in 43 countries as of May 24. There are no new countries reporting confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1).

Update on the two confirmed cases in the Philippines. Both cases are well and do not have any symptoms. They are still being monitored and will be discharged once their repeat PCR becomes negative for A (H1N1). At present, all their close contacts have not reported any symptoms of flu and are observing home quarantine.

Update on the Taiwanese two nationals. On further investigation, the Department of Health was informed that the Taiwanese nationals did not attend a yoga workshop in the Philippines. However, it was found that this confirmed A(H1N1) case and her daughter did attend a social gathering while visiting the country. The DOH is now in the process of tracing their contacts and will update you as information becomes available.

We would like to reiterate that if you have traveled to an Influenza A(H1N1) affected country or have been exposed to a confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1) and have fever, cough, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms, please consult a health facility immediately. You can also call the DOH Hotline (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002.

DOH Influenza A(H1N1) Surveillance Progress Report (as of May 25, 2009)    

This is what Secretary Duque said yesterday:

On the Taiwanese national who visited the Philippines, the DOH is continuously investigating the case.  We have already coordinated with Taiwan Centers for Disease Control who reported yesterday that the patient has already fully recovered. At present, her daughter only has mild respiratory symptoms and does not have fever anymore.  Based on the information we have, the Taiwanese woman fell ill after visiting the Philippines for a short vacation.  She did not attend any social gathering in the country, which could have exposed her to the virus while here in the Philippines.

What do the Taiwanese have to say about this matter?  To find out, let's turn to the authorities in Taiwan, the Centers for Disease Control R.O.C. (Taiwan).  So that there is no dispute as to what they're saying, here's a snapshot of their website as of 25 May 2009, 6:04pm, Manila time:

This is what the Taiwan CDC says in its website:

On May 22, 2009, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) confirmed the forth and fifth imported case of influenza A (H1N1) in Taiwan. The forth case is a 30-year-old, Taiwan-born female who traveled to Manila, the Philippines to attend an international yoga workshop with her daughter, elder sister and a friend from May 16 to 20, 2009. The participants in the events were mostly from the United States, Canada and Australia. The case took flight PR896 and arrived at Taiwan at 09:30 on May 20, 2009. Before boarding the plane, the case experienced influenza-like symptoms such as lightheadedness and sore throat, but did not develop fever. Therefore, the case returned home after she arrived in Taiwan and had dinner at a friend’s house. On May 21, 2009, she put on a facemask and sought medical attention at a clinic because her symptoms persisted. Her doctor suspected that she was infected with influenza A (H1N1) and thus referred her to a hospital. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with a fever of 38℃, sore throat, and light cough, and was immediately sent to the negative pressure isolation room for treatment and specimen collection. In the evening of May 21, 2009, the case’s daughter developed fever and was sent to the hospital for treatment at the negative pressure isolation room. The case’s daughter has come into close contact with fiver of her family members. In addition, the public health personnel have visited the kindergarten the case’s daughter attends for epidemiological investigation in order to determine if school closure is necessary.

CECC urged the passengers sitting in the same row and in the 3 rows in front and behind the case and the crew members on flight PR896 (departed from Manila at 07:39 on May 20, 2009 and arrived at Taoyuan at 09:31 on the same day; the case’s plane seat: 23B) to voluntarily report themselves to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) through the Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922. After contacting Taiwan CDC, public health personnel will visit them to administer antiviral prophylaxis and request them to conduct self-health management: observe their own health, conduct home quarantine, and measure their body temperature twice a day for a period of seven days. If any of the close contacts develop influenza-like symptoms such as fever and cough during the next 2-7 days, please be sure to contact the local health unit first and refrain from seeking medical attention on his/her own. On the other hand, the passengers on board the same flight with the case should not be overly panicked and are urged to conduct self-health management for seven days or call 1922 for consultation.

Also, take note that the Taiwan CDC informs Taiwanese of the flight number of affected H1N1 cases and advises all passengers who took the flight "to conduct self health management for seven days or call 1922 for consultation."

That is, of course, not the procedure that the DOH is doing in the Philippines. Dito po gusto nila tayong maging VIGILANT but we're not given adequate information.

More on this when I return.

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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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