CHO asks for protective suits from DOH
BACOLOD CITY -- Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said the City Health Office (CHO) has already requested for protective suits from the Department of Health (DOH) to be used by their personnel in responding to patients suspected to have acquired the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.
Sayson said the measure is part of city’s preparation for the spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.
The DOH has, so far, placed 15 persons in Western Visayas, most of whom are on Panay Island, under observation for possible A(H1N1). So far, the only positive case was the 17-year-old student from La Salle University-Taft in Manila who lives in Bacolod.
Sayson also said the reported case of Influenza A(H1N1) virus in Bacolod City should not be a cause for alarm since the disease is curable, unlike dengue.
DOH on Saturday reported that the 17-year old student was already discharged from the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH)
Dr. Glen Alonsabe, head of the Department of Health's (DOH) Regional Epidemiology Center 6 in Iloilo City, said the patient was given five days of medication, which ended yesterday.
He explained that after receiving the anti-viral drugs, the patient will be throat swabbed again to ensure that she no longer has the virus.
Another 7-year-old girl from Bacolod earlier said to be under observation for A(H1N1) has not been included in the DOH watchlist. The child did not show the symptoms of an A(H1N1) case because she developed the fever after the 10-day period since her return from Guam.
“But we should worry if we get infected with dengue since we will need fresh supply of blood to replenish our platelet count,” Sayson added.
If one has fever, he or she should immediately have a medical check up for proper medication. The city is also ready to allocate a portion of the calamity fund as part of its preparedness.