The Threat of Influenza A-H1N1 Virus

The World Health Organization (WHO) fears that it may soon raise the alert for the Influenza A-H1N1 to level six and declare a pandemic. The number of cases around the world has risen to over 19,000 with 117 deaths in over 66 countries. The latest additions are Bulgaria and Nicaragua. 

In the Philippines, Sec Francisco Duque of the Department of Health has confirmed 29-recorded cases although according to the secretary, the cases are mostly mild ones. In fact, 11 of those on record have recuperated. The country remains in alert level 2.

However, the De La Salle University has confirmed that two of its foreign exchange students from Japan have been infected with the disease. The Health Department is now conducting contact tracing to prevent an escalation of the disease and has declared a level-3 alert in the school. The university has announced a ten-day suspension of classes to ensure the safety of the students. There is a suspicion that the student has acquired the disease here in the Philippines. The student has arrived from abroad on May 12 but has not exhibited any symptom until May 25, which is already beyond the 5-days incubation period in case he acquired the virus infection while abroad.

The H1N1 scare is slowly getting into the peoples’ nerves. The Department of Education and the Department of Health have launched a campaign against the virus among young kids, stressing the importance of hand washing to prevent the transfer of virus. They teach that they should wash their hands thoroughly at a specific length of time. They should wash their hands with soap and water while singing the Happy Birthday song. Within the duration of the song, they can be sure that they have washed their hands properly.

The campaign also discourages close contact between people like hugging and kissing. Campaigns like this are funny sometimes but acquiring a deadly disease is no joke.

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