CEBU, Philippines – It is confirmed – the dreaded Influenza A (H1N1) virus is now in Cebu. Health Officials yesterday announced the first two confirmed cases of swine flu in two kids, who are now confined in two separate hospitals in Cebu.
The one-year old girl and 13-year old boy were among the four confirmed cases announced by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday.
They are part of the 10 confirmed cases in the country. The DOH announced yesterday that another four new confirmed cases of the flu were all attendees of the wedding in Zambales on May 17.
Department of Health (DOH-7) Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta said that the one-year old girl is still suffering from cough, but has no more fever. She arrived from the United States on May 19 and has developed flu symptoms within the incubation period.
She was admitted last week and hospital personnel took from her swab specimen, which was sent to the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine for testing.
The 13-year old Filipino boy arrived from Hong Kong after a vacation.
He manifested flu symptoms when he arrived, but Madarieta said, he has since recovered.
DOH-7 received the confirmation report from its central office on Wednesday and started tracing those who had close contact with the two patients.
Direct contacts that were more prone to infection like the house members were treated with Oseltamivir Phosphate or Tamiflu, an oral antiviral treatment.
It prevents the influenza virus from spreading inside the body and is designed to be active against all clinically relevant influenza virus strains.
Tamiflu can be used both for prevention and treatment of influenza.
Madarieta said that they have coordinated with the local government units of the place where the two have stayed prior to their confinement.
“We asked local officials and local residents to report to us immediately if they found any suspected cases of flu so we could immediately contaminate the virus,” Madarieta said.
Contact tracing is on-going while the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ-7) has begun tracking those who were seated near the patients while they were onboard the plane.
“We will try to trace those who were seated with them one seat behind and three seats forward,” Madarieta said.
Based on their interview, Madarieta said that the two has not attended any public gathering nor visited any public place prior to their isolation.
Patients have followed the health advice to self quarantine upon arrival from an infected country she said.
Swab samples were not taken from the parents of the two since they are not manifesting any flu symptom.
The patients are now undergoing five-day treatment while isolated. After the treatment, they will undergo repeat swab test to confirm if they are not infected anymore.
If they will be tested negative this time, DOH will have to release the patients, but they will still be continuously monitored for weeks.
The girl’s treatment will end on Monday while the boy’s ends today.
The former will have the repeat swab test on Tuesday while the latter on Saturday.
Health workers, who were in close contact with the patients since they are the ones attending to them, were also required to take Oseltamivir.
Madarieta reiterated there is no need for the public to panic because A (H1N1) is just a mild form of Influenza. She added that the normal human flu is more fatal than this one.
“So far, there is no evidence of sustained community transmission in the province. The virus is still contained and different agencies are helping us in monitoring,” Madarieta said.
The public is advised to avoid going to crowded places. “Practice hand washing at least 20 times a day. And of course, maintain respiratory hygiene like when we cough or sneeze, we should always cover our nose and mouth,” Madarieta said.
DOH assured the public that all hospitals are prepared with Infection Control Committees and pandemic preparedness in place.
There is no need yet to wear masks, only during community level outbreak which has not yet occurred here Madarieta said.
DOH is so far not advising the postponement of class so schools will open as scheduled, Madarieta announced.
Another three Cases Under Observation were admitted in Cebu on Wednesday and Madarieta said that they are expecting more CUOs and confirmed cases because of intensified contact tracing and heightened public awareness.
DOH will strengthen surveillance and will meet again with health officers to discuss new responses now that the virus has entered the province.
DOH reminded that those who have traveled to an Influenza A (H1N1) affected country or have been exposed to a confirmed case of the flu and has fever, cough, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms, shall consult a health facility immediately.
“Individuals manifesting with influenza symptoms and have pre-existing conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, immunodeficiencies, as well as pregnant women and young children should not self-medicate and go immediately to their health provider,” DOH advised. — /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)