Capizeña OFW from Singapore is first H1N1 case in Capiz
ROXAS CITY – A 38 year-old Capizeña, who works as domestic helper in Singapore, is the first person here in Capiz province to have been found positive of Inflenza A(H1N1).
Dr. Jarvis Punzalan, Provincial Health Officer (PHO), said in a press conference that the A(H1N1) positive person is a native of Tapaz, Capiz. The Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang, Manila confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the laboratory tests conducted on the patient showed that she is positive of the A(H1N1) virus.
Punzalan said the said patient, whose name is withheld, arrived in Manila from Singapore on June 6 and she stayed there for several days. She went home on June 9 and manifested with simple flu and reported to the Rural Health Unit in Tapaz on June 11 where the doctor took the swab sample from her.
Punzalan said that the patient is undergoing 10 days home quarantine and is now recovering from her illness after medication.
Meanwhile, seven members of the patient’s family have also undergone a medical treatment and will undergo 10 days quarantine to ensure that the H1N1 virus will not spread among their neighbors.
Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr., who is present during the press conference, said that he will issue an executive order to all municipal mayors and barangay chief executives detailing the guidelines on how to handle the situation and to be prepared particularly in rural areas.
Tanco urged the people to stay calm and take precautionary measures to avoid being infected with the illness as he assured that the situation is under control since A(H1N1) flu is curable.
Meanwhile, another female high school student from a well-known school here is still under observation after she manifested symptoms of A(H1N1) flu.
Health officials already took specimen from her which was already sent last Wednesday for laboratory test in Manila for confirmation.
PHO advisory revealed that signs and symptoms in humans are: fever, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat cough, vomiting or nausea and diarrhea.
As a precautionary measure, PHO recommends: cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing; always wash hands with soap and water; use alcohol-based hand sanitizers; avoid close contact with sick people and avoid going to crowded places.
It also recommended that the people have to increase body resistance by: having at least 8 hours sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods.
Also present during the press conference were Dr. Elmer Bucayan, Dra. Leah Del Rosario and Dr. Nonie Fernandez and nurses of PHO.