2 more A/H1N1 fatalities in the Philippines

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.bworldonline.com/BW071409/content.php?id=073

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Nation
Two additional A(H1N1) deaths listed

TWO ADDITIONAL influenza A(H1N1)-related deaths were announced yesterday by the Department of Health (DoH).

Yolanda E. Oliveros, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control director, told reporters a 74-year-old male and seven-year-old female who were positive of the virus died last week.

"The deaths were reported to us last Friday. But like the previous case of death, the virus was not the primary cause of death," said Ms. Oliveros.

The male victim suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis and acute kidney failure, while the girl had asthma.

The first casualty last month was a 49-year-old woman, a former employee of the House of Representatives. Her death forced the chamber to close offices for several days.

Ms. Oliveros said there are 2,668 confirmed cases of A(H1N1) in the country but the recovery rate remains at 95%.

The DoH has advised those with chronic diseases and are suffering from influenza-like illnesses to immediately consult a physician.

Compensable illness

Meanwhile, employees afflicted with the virus can seek compensation from the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Security and Insurance System (GSIS).

In availing of the privilege, the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) has first required employees to file their request with the respective insurance agencies.

"It first has to go through procedures, but if the employee contracted A(H1N1) in the workplace then [the case] is allowed to be compensated," Jonathan T. Villasotto, ECC spokesman, told BusinessWorld in a telephone interview yesterday.

The benefit includes reimbursement of hospital fees subject to the discretion of either SSS or GSIS.

"The benefits are not automatic. It really depends on the agency handling the case because sometimes even if the virus was not contracted at work, it can be deemed as a work-related issue so they can apply for compensation," said Mr. Villasotto.

The Department of Labor and Employment also said in its guidelines released last month that infected workers may avail of hospital benefits of up to P75,000 from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

The ECC benefit was also announced last month. ? Emilia Narni J. David

[Shiloh]

Re: 2 more A/H1N1 fatalities in the Phillipines

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/211101...onal-flu-ah1n1


More die of seasonal flu than A(H1N1)
By JENNY F. MANONGDO
July 15, 2009, 5:35pm

With approximately 500 to 700 fatalities each year, seasonal influenza is still deadlier than the Influenza A(H1N1). But health authorities are still putting a tight watch over A (H1N1) as they await the approval of the requested P16 billion budget for the procurement of vaccines against the novel virus.

The Philippines registered its second and third deaths due to this viral disease last Monday, a 19-year old male who had asthma and a 74-year old man with tuberculosis and hypertension among other serious illnesses. A 49-year old woman who worked at the House of Representatives died last June 19 and was the country?s first death due to A (H1N1). The Department of Health (DoH) said the woman suffered from heart disease.

Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC) Director told asthma sufferers that flu generally causes difficulty in breathing and that they should be extra wary if flu symptoms occur.

?Asthma sufferers must understand that viral infection triggers an asthma attack. There are blood components that increase during an attack that leads to constriction of the airways,? she said.

But the doctor was quick to add that seasonal influenza can also cause a serious effect among other patients.

?Even seasonal influenza can cause the same condition but the deaths due to seasonal flu are not documented. The deaths due to seasonal flu are around the vicinity of 500 to 700 per year but this does not get publicized,? Dr. Oliveros added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) cited a study the other day saying that the virus ?causes more lung damage than ordinary seasonal flu strains but still responds to antiviral drugs.?

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DoH) has submitted a letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) expressing its intent to procure vaccines against the Influenza A (H1N1) once it becomes available in the market.

DoH officials have earlier asked the government for a P16 Billion supplemental budget for the procurement of vaccines against the A (H1N1) that will cover not just the health workers in the national and local government health facilities but also the A (H1N1) ?high- risk groups? such as the elderly people aged 60 and above and children five years old and below.

Last Wednesday, the Community Medicine Practitioners and Advocates Association, Incorporated (COMPASS) said that the 'enormous' amount requested by the DoH for the pandemic influenza vaccine is 'baseless.'

"I can show them the computation," Dr. Oliveros said adding that the DoH had carefully computed the projected expenditures before they came up with the requested supplemental budget. The two-dose vaccine will be administered twice with a 6-week interval.

"There was a miscommunication earlier. They thought that the vaccine would only be for the healthworkers, the frontliners, but it will also cover the health workers in the barangays and in the local government hospitals which are not employed by the DoH, the elderly, which makes up four percent of the population and the very young children, five years and below."

Although countries can order directly from the vaccine manufacturer, the DoH official said WHO will determine the countries that will be prioritized for the vaccines.

The latest count of A (H1N1) confirmed cases in the Philippines based on the July 9 figures gathered by the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) is 2,668, three deaths and 2,543 patients who have fully recovered from the disease.