Four more persons tested positive for Influenza A(H1N1) virus in Western Visayas as of July 3, according to the Department of Health (DoH-6).

This brings the total positive A(H1N1) flu cases in the region to 14.

The DoH-6 said the four new positive cases were in close contact with the high school student of Assumption Iloilo who earlier tested positive for the flu.

Contract tracing performed by DOH 6 personnel confirmed that the two cases originated in Roxas City while the other two were found in the Catholic school in Iloilo City.

Classes were suspended in Assumption school June 23 when the female student, , who hails from Roxas City, tested positive for (A)H1N1 flu.

School officials immediately suspended classes upon suggestion of DoH 6 and the Iloilo City government.

DOH 6 said that all four are now under home quarantine and medication. The patients no longer exhibit flu-like symptoms.

In addition, four new cases under observation (CUOs) were recorded as of Friday. Two came from Bacolod City, one from Iloilo City and another one from Iloilo province.

This brings the total of CUOs in Western Visayas to 91 with 29 negative cases and 28 pending cases.

Meanwhile, classes will reopen in Assumption Iloilo this July 6 after the 10-day suspension.

How do I know if I have influenza A(H1N1)?

( Source: The Daily Guardian )

The use of the prescribed helmet can save your life.

This was the repeat reminder of Land Transportation Office 6 Regional Director Gerard Camiña on motorcycle drivers, who continue to wear plastic helmets or none at all.

This reminder was made during the Forum on Helmets and Visors held at the Grand Hotel last June 29, 2009. It was an activity by the Bureau of Product Standards, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine National Police and the LTO.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has finally come out with the prescribed helmet for the bikers’ use and that dealers can sell. However, there is a danger that bikers will continue to wear plastic helmets because of a five-year moratorium made last year after motorists complained about the use of the prescribed helmet because at that time, the DTI has yet to define what a “prescribed helmet” should be.

To recall, the Land Transportation Office issued Memorandum Order AHS-2008-01 or The Revised Rules and Regulations for the Use and Operations of Motorcycles on Highways which states,”There shall be a five-year moratorium imposed on the mandatory use of prescribed standards helmet effective September 30, 2008 until 2013. Thus, motorcycle drivers and passengers can use any kind of helmet until 2013.

Camiña said that unless there’s a memorandum circular that lifts the moratorium is made, they cannot apprehend drivers who are wearing plastic helmets. Thus, he encouraged the bikers to voluntarily junk their plastic helmets, and enjoy the life-saving benefit provided by wearing the prescribed one.

“These plastic helmets that they insist on wearing will not protect them,” said Camiña, adding that many accidents that were minor, has resulted to fatalities due to the use of the wrong helmet or none at all.

Dominic Abad, regional director of the DTI, said that the prescribed helmet has the PS or ICC marks. Locally-made products should bear the PS or Philippine Standard mark while the imported ones should have the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark. These licenses are issues by the DTI’s Bureau of Product Standards when their product successfully pass the requirements of a Philippine National Standard (PNS). Manufacturers and importers affix the PS and ICC marks on their products to guide consumers.

( Source: The News Today )

I heard from a friend yesterday that a Catholic school here in Iloilo City has suspended their classes for 10 days after DOH confirmed that one of student of the said institution turned out positive to have an H1N1 virus. According to Panay News:

A third year high school student of Assumption-Iloilo tested positive for the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, prompting the private Catholic school to cancel its classes yesterday.

The student is a 14-year-old girl and a resident of Roxas City, Capiz. She stays at the school dormitory but is currently in a private hospital in that city.

The school’s management said the suspension of classes in all levels will be for 10 days.

School officials led by Assumption Principal Sister Fideles Estrada conferred with Mayor Jerry Treñas and Department of Health’s (DOH) Dr. Glen Alonsabe regarding the case yesterday.

How do I know if I have influenza A(H1N1)?

Read The Full Story Here.

Source: Panay news

I was shocked just this morning when I opened the television to watch the morning local news. Yesterday, the Department of Health confirmed the first Influenza A case, but just this morning, 4 new cases has been confirmed.

This the news from the Daily Guardian:

By Francis Allan L. Angelo and Tara Yap

THE public should not shun the Iloilo City barangay and its residents where the first Influenza A(H1N1) case in the city was detected.

The Department of Health (DoH) issued the advisory even as another A(H1N1) case was confirmed in Capiz province Thursday, bringing the total confirmed cases in the region to 5.

A DoH official said the family of the 38-year-old seaman infected by the virus and their neighbors at Brgy. Dungon-B, Jaro should not be discriminated.

Dr. Jessie Glen Alonsabe, DoH regional epidemiologist, also asked the media to be prudent in reporting the first A(H1N1) case in the city, particularly in taking images and footages of the seaman’s house and family.

“There might be discrimination towards the family or they might be ostracized by the public. The barangay might also be affected because residents from other areas might not pass by Dungon-B and divert to other areas. Instead of passing by Diversion Road, all motorists will pass by Ungka and CPU area. That would cause a major traffic jam,” Alonsabe said.

Brgy. Dungon-B leads towards Benigno S. Aquino Avenue or Diversion Road which connects Jaro to Molo and Iloilo City proper districts.

Alonsabe said other people have the tendency to overreact just like what happened to residents of a farming village in Jaen, Nueva Ecija where the first community outbreak of A(H1N1) flu was declared.

“This could happen anywhere and to anyone of us. We really don’t know when or where, as of now we only detected one person in that area. All we have to do is observe precautionary measures such as proper and regular washing of hands, cough and sneezing etiquettes and taking vitamins that will protect us from infections,” he added.

The DoH and Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) also advised the public to seek medical help if they suffer from flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, who is on home quarantine after returning from Boston, Massachusetts in USA, said there is no need to panic after the confirmation of the first A(H1N1) patient in the city.

“We have prepared for this already by informing the public about the precautionary measures and responses. The flu that hit the country and the city is mild and curable,” Treñas said.

Latest report from the DoH said the patient is now recovering after taking medications at the Western Visayas Medical Center.

The family of the patient is also under observation, the DoH said.

How do I know if I have influenza A(H1N1)?

Read full news HERE.

DOH CONFIRMS FIRST H1NI PATIENT IN ILOILO CITY

LOCAL and health officials are monitoring a barangay in Iloilo City where the first positive A(H1N1) case in the city was detected.

The Department of Health (DoH) said the first A(H1N1) flu patient in Iloilo City is a 38-year-old seaman from Jaro district.

The patient traveled from Germany and stopped over Hong Kong before arriving in the country June 1. He showed flu-like symptoms June 9 and was brought to Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) for check-up.