Showing posts with label Research Institute of Tropical Medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Research Institute of Tropical Medicine. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Which virus: seasonal flu or H1N1 virus?



The flu as reported by the Naga City Health Office (Bicol Mail, 07/16/09) could well indeed be cases of seasonal flu---the viral illness that makes rounds this year. However, I wonder if this flu described by Health officer Dr. Vito Borja is apart from the H1N1 which is the subject of concern, study and containment at this time.

It’s hard to differentiate between the seasonal and swine flu. The genomic features and clinical manifestations of both influenza viruses have points of overlaps. Therefore, without diagnostic confirmation as done in the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila, no one will ever know for sure what the city is dealing with.

I believe residents of Naga and other towns including health care workers are eager to learn if confirmatory tests are done. Whichever virus may affect the population, greater surveillance is important to put into action the ways to prevent and control the spread of the disease.

The H1N1 flu, though generally benign and self-limiting, has the potential to mutate and transform into a vicious resistant disease. It poses health risks to the people like the seasonal flu. (Photo Credit: CDC) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Quarantine of 3 possible Swine flu sufferers in Cebu



It’s a waiting game for three individuals who were quarantined in Cebu on suspicion that they harbor the H1N1 flu virus. A Filipino who was detected to be running fever by thermal scan at Cebu Airpot was isolated together with his wife after they arrived from their trip which brought them to Ireland, Hongkong then to Cebu via Cathay Pacific Fight.

They were sequestered in quarantine rooms at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center pending the results of their laboratory tests crucial in determining if they have the pig flu. With them was an Englishwoman who voluntarily came to the hospital on May 4, 2009 to complain of cough and colds after visiting Mexico and Hongkong, places where the swine virus had been reported.

Renan Cimafranca, the head of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit said that the public will be notified of the laboratory tests sent to the DOH’s Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM )in Alabang on the three individuals as soon as they are available. Although the swine influenza seems to behave like the seasonal flu, caution and vigilance are advised because the behavior of the new flu strain isn’t completely known.

Since no swine flu has so far been detected in the Philippines, the Department of Education (DePEd) has no plan to interrupt the schedule of opening of classes in June. Health authorities in Cebu are confident of their readiness to tackle the H1N1 virus infection after learning from their experience in controlling Severe Acure Repiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003. (Photo Credit: AP/ Gregory Bull) =0=

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