DOH-7: Don't stock up on Tamiflu

CEBU, Philippines – Department of Health-7 regional director Dr. Susana Madarieta said people should not stock up on Tamiflu as a result of the H1N1 Influenza A virus (Swine Flu) scare.

She said panic causes people to do unnecessary actions like buy Tamiflu, which is now given to patients who are reportedly suffering from symptoms of the H1N1 flu.

“Do not self-medicate on Tamiflu,” Madarieta added.

Tamiflu or Oseltamivir is sold in pharmacies as it is also used for other kinds of flu, but Madarieta said that it has been ordered that it cannot be purchased without prescription.

She said that it is important to reserve it for those who would really need it.

Madarieta also said that there is no need to wear masks yet because there have been no cases of the H1N1 flu yet in the country.

However, those that will be in close contact with probable patients like the health workers, would be given with masks.

Part of their situation monitoring and assessment is enhancing the pandemic surveillance and tapping barangays to report suspected cases.

Madarieta also clarified that pork can be purchased and eaten as long as it is cooked properly.

Bureau of Quarantine regional director Emmanuel Labella also assured that they are ready to monitor people going in and out of the region.

Labella said that when the reports of the H1N1 flu came out, they were not alarmed because they were already prepared following the reports of the avian flu outbreak.

He said they even had mock drills already with the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, where possible cases of the H1N1 flu will be sent to.

DOH will be reproducing leaflets and giving posters to the public to help in the information drive regarding the H1N1 flu. 

After a command conference in Manila, Madarieta called in a meeting for all representatives for each province in the region for a feedback on the H1N1 flu.

Madarieta said that although there have been no reported cases here in the country, planning and coordination among different agencies are needed.

In the presentation showed by DOH, one of the important things to do for the public is to give updates on the current situation of the outbreak whether in the country or not.

This according to them would help in preventing panic which would be very important.

Meanwhile, Cebu City councilor Arsenio Pacaña wants thorough inspection of all hog farms in the city particularly in the upland barangays.

Pacaña also urged the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries to conduct information drives in encouraging hog raisers to vaccinate hogs against swine flu as a precautionary measure.

According to the latest report, there are already H1N1 flu cases noted in the Asian region with one case each in Hong Kong and South Korea.

The World Health Organization raised to the highest level the global danger and threat of the said infection which is a newly developed strain of virus.

Health authorities also fear that if the disease is not contained or addressed immediately, it might spread faster than the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome that struck China in 2003 leaving nearly 800 people dead.

Already the SARS Task Force of Cebu City was reactivated to compose measures on this new pandemic.

The Task Force is composed of the DVMF, City Health Department, Cebu City Disaster and Coordinating Council, Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and other city officials.

DA already banned the importation of pork meat from suspected H1N1 flu-infected countries.

It also put in place infrared scanners in airports and other port of entries to detect suspected human carriers. — AJ de la Torre and Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)