UP Ibalon Bicol: Dr. Francisco Duque

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Mitigation versus containment in the fight against the H1N1 flu

6/09/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The sudden rise of H1N1 flu cases in the Philippines to 46 had Dr. Francisco Duque III of the Department of Health (DOH) and his team to shift gear in the battle against the viral infection. Early on, containment was the goal to stop the spread of the swine flu at the bud, but the sharp increase of those stricken with the disease, made them to resort to “mitigation”----a lesser goal to reduce the outbreak’s spread and severity.

“As more and more cases were confirmed daily, Duque said health authorities were no longer doing contact tracing since the virus was being transmitted much faster than they could trace and quarantine all contacts of those infected with the virus.

"It offers little benefit to do extensive tracing of this virus when it is clear that the disease can be passed on to others at a rate faster than it will ever be humanly possible to find the contacts,” he said.

“This means that we only do early detection and aggressive treatment of cases as they come, especially for those with high-risk preexisting conditions. Those manifesting mild symptoms can be managed and monitored at home so that only patients at risk of developing complications ‘----PDI (06/08/09, Pazzibugan, D.)

What Dr. Duque says is that the illness is out of the genie box and absolute control is unrealistic. Minimization of the disease’ potential impact is the "better" course of action. Reducing the severity of exposure is now the strategy knowing that the exposed have become more difficult to track.

This comes at a time of the opening of classes. And rainy season is at hand. Dengue, another health hazard carried by mosquitoes is brewing in the air. In greater numbers, more people have become possible swine flu and dengue hemorrhagic fever carriers thus making more infections in the community possible.

To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified the Philippines to have the highest number of swine flu cases in Southeast Asia. As of its latest tally on June 8, 2009, WHO listed 73 countries affected by the swine flu with a total of 25,288 confirmed cases and 139 recorded deaths. (Photo Credit: CDC) =0=

UPDATE: June 9, 2009: Follow up update revealed 57 cases of swine flu in the Philippines. Many of the recently infected had been students in Manila and those with history of travel outside the country. Vigilance, personal responsibility, and self-help to prevent the disease are in order to limit the spread of the infection.

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Labels: dengue, diseases, DOH, Dr. Francisco Duque, epidemic, H1N1 virus, Influenza, Swine flu, Totie, update, WHO

June 3, 2009: Philippine Swine Flu Update

6/04/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The 22nd case of H1N1 flu in the Philippines was confirmed in a 21 year old foreign student prompting the De La Salle University in Manila to close temporarily on June 4 to 14 as a measure to contain the disease.

As of June 3, 2009, the WHO tally puts the number of swine flu infections to 19, 273 and 117 deaths in 66 countries. About half of the number of cases have been confirmed in the United States. (Photo Credit: Bendicte Desrus)

UPDATE: On June 4, 2009, 6 more positive H1N1 flu sufferers were reported by Dr. Francisco Duque III of DOH, bringing a total of 28 people having contracted the disease. =0=

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Labels: De La Salle University, diseases, DOH, Dr. Francisco Duque, epidemic, H1N1 virus, Health, illness, Influenza, influenza virus, pandemic, Philippines, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, WHO

H1N1 flu watch: 16 cases reported in RP

5/31/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

As of Saturday, May 30, 2009, the number of new cases of H1N1 flu in the Philippines rose to 16. According to the Department of Health (DOH) Sec. Francisco Duque III, aside from these cases, there are still 29 individuals under observation.

The increase in number of the swine flu infection in the country stresses the need for vigilance and preventive measures to stop the spread of the disease. Although there are suggestions to indefinitely close schools because of the flu, health authorities in Manila believe that the situation doesn’t merit the postponement of the opening of classes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that so far, there had been 15,510 documented cases of the disease reported in 53 countries. Of those who got sick, at least 99 people died. (Photo Credit: Benedicte Desrus) =0=

UPDATE: June 2, 2009. The number of H1N1 cases in the Philippihes rose from 16 to 21 over the weekend. Filipinos who are preparing for the opening of classes nationwide are advised to take preventive measures to help stop the disease. =0=

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Labels: DOH, Dr. Francisco Duque, epidemic, Flu, H1N1 virus, Influenza, influenza virus, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, WHO

Medicine & Religion: Is confession a potent balm against major diseases in RP?

2/17/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Dr. Francisco Duque III, the secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) reportedly said a staggering 80% of Filipinos are suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) “due to unhealthy lifestyle.” The doctor goes on to say that to combat cardiovascular illnesses, cancers, and diabetes, people have to go to church and make regular “confession.” I find his religious recommendation oddly misleading. It needs clarification.

“Among those considered as NCDs are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Duque said the three are now among the major health problems in the country. Duque said one way to address this problem is for the people to go on regular confession." I suggest that they go to church to pray and confess their sins because its one way of managing”----GMANewTV.net (02/16/09)

It isn’t unusual to blame stress as a cause of sickness. Though stress goes with almost all diseases, its role is often indirect, sometimes obscure, in many organic diseases. As far as science is concerned, most illnesses have underlying pathogenetic bases whose roles are generally far-reaching than the effects of stress.

Heart diseases are related to high fat diet, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking. Diabetes mellitus may have an autoimmune basis but can come with risk factors like obesity, lack of exercise, and genetics. Certain cancers are triggered by stepwise mutations (alterations in the DNA) that generate clones of abnormal cells that invade, metastasize, and eventually kill the body. In all these, stress plays a role, albeit less strongly than what is suggested by Dr. Duque.

The act of confession (reconciliation) taught by certain religions is not shared by all believers. Confessing sins to a priest by the Catholics has markedly dwindled in recent years. Dr. Duque may encounter criticism and opposition in recommending the holy sacrament to prevent non-communicable diseases. There are non-faith based treatments in medicine which are more predictable and efficacious.

Stress is part of the normal challenges of daily living. Not all people who go through significant emotionally disruptive situations get ill in the process. Sick and healthy individuals, suffer from harrowing conditions in varying degrees. As such the roles of stress in every illness are hard to quantify; their effects on the body aren’t uniformly the same.

I believe emotion plus the working of the mind, and the entire body equilibrium are influenced by stress more than it affects specific organs of the body. It is probably the reason why religion, spirituality, a belief in the supernatural, exercise, meditation, and relaxation regimens have some roles to play in disease management. The mechanisms behind their healing properties aren't fully understood.

Yet, medical science offers credible explanations in disease causation and treatment. Illnesses can be attributed to causes like direct physical injuries, infections, cancers, immunologic conditions, hormonal swings, metabolic derangements, nutritional deficiencies, hereditary disorders, chemical, drug and radiation exposures, poisonings, among others.

Stress is only one among the long list. Therefore, “confession” as Dr. Duque suggested may help in being healthy, preventing sickness, and going through an illness and subsequent recuperation. But surely, we need to account for greater ways to fight diseases more than what have been recommended by the standard and complementary approaches of medicine. This is important in the holistic way of maintaining the health of the nation.(Photo Credits: denislpaul; sacerdotal) =0=

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Labels: Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, confession, diseases, DOH, Dr. Francisco Duque, faith, Health, Medicine, mental, reconcilation, religion, science, stress, Totie Mesia

UP Ibalon Bicol

Mitigation versus containment in the fight against the H1N1 flu

June 3, 2009: Philippine Swine Flu Update

H1N1 flu watch: 16 cases reported in RP

Medicine & Religion: Is confession a potent balm against major diseases in RP?

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