Philippines confirm first case of Swine Flu

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Thursday that the country already has a case of the dreaded Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

The patient, who is now quarantined, is a 10-year-old girl who arrived in the Philippines last May 18 after going to the US and Canada, according to the DOH.

She no longer has fever and cough, but still suffering from sore throat, said Dr. Eric Tayag, chief of the DOH Epidemiology Center. The DOH did not disclose where the girl was confined.

The girl only showed symptoms of the disease a day after her arrival, according to a report by radio dzBB quoting Tayag.

The patient's parents haven't showed symptoms of the disease but were nevertheless given oseltamivir, an anti-viral drug, the report said.

The government will conduct contact tracing to identify and diagnose individuals who might have come into contact with the infected girl.

The DOH advised the public not to panic amid the discovery of the country's first A(H1N1) case. They were also told to observe proper hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.

Taiwan was the last country near the Philippines that reported a case of the disease, on Wednesday. Struck by the disease was a 52-year-old man, the country's first.

The World Health Organization raised its tally of swine flu cases around the world to 11,034 and 85 deaths.

WHO says most of the new 791 cases have been reported in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Mexico confirmed three more deaths linked to swine flu, while the United States confirmed two since Wednesday's tally.

At least 38 other countries have also reported cases since the outbreak began last month. (source gmanews.tv)


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