H1N1

First thing I always do when I wake up in the morning is open my laptop and check my email. Usually, I'm not reading forwarded emails but this time, I don't know why, I was interested in reading one of the forwarded email from my friend zhel. The subject of the email is H1N1 update. I read all the content and suddenly, I felt sad. Why? Honestly, I'm not afraid of that virus. There are already some victims of H1N1 here in Quebec and they keep on telling the people to be very careful with this virus, put a protection etc, etc. But me and hubby always away every weekend and eat in the restaurant, go to public places without protection and so far, so good. We don't feel any of the symptoms of this virus. I'm very confident that I'm healthy and ready to have my vacation in Philippines. But after reading the forwarded email, I felt really sad. I'm afraid that they will quarantine me when I will arrive in Philippines to make sure that I don't have that virus. If this will happen, all the plan will be distroy. Firt week of my arrival is very tight. We will arrive friday night in cebu and flight the next day to CDO for my nephew's baptism and then after a day, we will take the ferry for Tagbilaran, Bohol for the Mega EB of Bolanon.com member. This is all in one week, the first week of my arrival. I will just hope that there will be no changes in the plan. If it happen that they have to quarantine me, it can break my vacation. I HOPE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN. I'm crossing my finger.

Well, I want to share to you the forwarded email that I received.
UPDATE NO. 18 - RP's FIRST H1N1 CASE
By dennis
Created 2009-05-22 06:54
21 May 2009
The Department of Health is officially announcing this evening the first confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines .
A female traveler arrived in the Philippines on May 18, Monday, from the United States and Canada . A throat specimen was collected, and was tested at the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) on May 20, Wednesday, after she developed fever, sore throat and cough.
Today, RITM confirmed that the specimen tested positive for the novel Influenza A (H1N1) on PCR using the primers sent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
She was immediately started on an antiviral, Oseltamivir, and given supportive care. At this time, the patient is continuously being monitored. She no longer has fever or cough, but still has sore throat.
The DOH would like to emphasize that there is no community level outbreak in the country and measures are being done by the government to prevent transmission, starting with the quarantine of household close contacts.
The family of the patient has been informed and advised about the situation. We would like to thank them for their cooperation and willingness to comply with the recommendations of the DOH. They were advised to observe self-monitoring, home quarantine, social distancing, proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette procedures.
We appeal to our media partners and the rest of the nation to respect the privacy and anonymity of the patient and her family. Rest assured that any information vital to protect public health and safety will be appropriately shared to those concerned.
The DOH also stresses that the discovery of this first case of Influenza A(H1N1) in the Philippines is something we have been preparing for and is a result of the collective efforts of both public and private sectors as well as the effective surveillance system which we have put in place.
The DOH has already notified the International Health Regulations (IHR) and will submit its official report in 24 hours.
Influenza A (H1N1) is currently affecting 41 other countries with 11,034 cases and 85 deaths. Thus far, the behavior of the virus is to cause generally mild illness and low mortality (<1%) in the affected population.
This development only shows the vulnerability of all countries to the threat of Influenza A (H1N1) which indicates that no nation and no government should be complacent. Thus, we continue to strengthen our systems for surveillance, early detection and management and effective response. We are also closely coordinating with the WHO, other agencies of government and the private sector to effectively combat the virus.
Our stockpiles of Oseltamivir is currently sufficient at 1 million capsules and have been distributed in regional hubs all over the country. We would like to remind the public that Oseltamivir may only be dispensed and taken upon the advice of your doctor. Irrational use can result in drug resistance that causes the drug to become ineffective in the future.
We reiterate to the public that government is on top of the situation and everyone is advised to be vigilant. If you have arrived from an affected country and develop flu-like symptoms (or TRANGKASO) such as fever, sore throat and cough, immediately consult a medical professional or call the DOH Hotline at (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002.
This situation is evolving globally. We will give regular updates to the media and the public as information becomes available.
To know more about Influenza A(H1N1), you may go to the DOH Website at www.doh.gov.ph [0].
Source URL:http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/2288