UPDATE 5: DOH: 5 new A(H1N1) cases in RP; total now at 21

There are five new confirmed influenza A (H1N1) cases in the country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said on Monday. However, seven of the 16 who had previously been found positive have tested negative after a second test.

According to Duque, five more cases under observation turned positive of the H1N1 virus and are undergoing further tests by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

Two of the five confirmed new cases were infected at the wedding attended by two Taiwanese nationals who were found to have H1N1 after returning to Taiwan. Three are Filipinos who returned from the United States.

Duque said seven previously confirmed cases were found negative after the Polymerase Chain Reactor (PCR) test was repeated. Three of the seven have already been discharged while another four will be discharged Monday (June 1).

Duque clarified, however, that they will not discharge the confirmed cases unless they have undergone thorough examination and quarantine.

Although one or two of the positive cases are students, Duque clarified that they are unlikely to spread the infection to their classmates as the health department is making sure they are quarantined and fully recover before being discharged.

Duque also explained that the health department has already advised public schools teachers to be on the lookout for possible Influenza-like illnesses among the students. Guidelines were also given to the schools in case a student shows symptoms of the infection.

The first positive case of influenza A (H1N1) came out on May 22. In less than 10 days, the number of confirmed cases has escalated to 14.

Duque said the health department is currently monitoring 46 additional cases. "We have 32 pending results and 13 new cases [under observation]," Duque said.

According to the health secretary, the country is currently at Alert Level 2. "We have confirmed cases but we don't have an outbreak," he added.

If there is one confirmed case in a school, Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz said that the alert level will rise to Level 3, prompting the principal to suspend classes. If additional cases turn out positive, the alert level will escalate to Level 4.

According to Reuters, as of May 31, there were 15,922 people with the new H1N1 flu strain in 57 countries with 115 deaths mostly in Mexico.
as of 06/01/2009 4:54 PM

http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/01/09/duque-rp-has-5-new-h1n1-cases