Monday, June 15, 2009
It was a Sunday yesterday and we all know that an evening newscasts are put on hold on weekends but I manage not to dozed off until I had my daily dose of news and current affairs courtesy of the late evening (midnight, would be more appropriate) news program in GMA 7. And lo and behold, the Philippines (which I just blogged a few days ago to have minor cases of swine flu) had already declared a community-level outbreak of Influenza AH1N1 in Brgy. Hilera, Jaen, Nueva Ecija.
The outbreak started when a set of elementary students exhibited symptoms of the disease weeks after a medical mission was held in their village, the medical mission were attended by doctors and medical professionals from foreign countries (which have swine flu cases). The first 11 cases were of 10 elementary students and 1 four-year old child with 57 more students under observation as they are all exhibiting AH1N1flu symptoms plus 35 others who are feared to have contacted the disease, as well.
The declaration was done by DOH upon the approval of Sec. Duque but it was Dr. Eric Tayag of the National Epidemiology Center who had confirmed the news to most TV programs. He said that their means in managing Influenza AH1N1 has now shifted to mitigation from the previous containment strategy, but it will still be a case to case basis. He gave Mindanao as an example, they will continue to use the containment approach as there are no reported cases of the flu in the area yet.
As of early Monday, the Influenza AH1N1 cases in the country has risen to 147 with an expected surge because of the suspected cases in Jaen, Nueva Ecija. Dr. Tayag advises the public to stay vigilant and always observe proper personal hygiene.
Labels: Public Matters
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