Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

[Gert van der Hoek]

Woman with H1N1 dies, says DoH

By Anna Valmero

INQUIRER.net

First Posted 14:30:00 06/22/2009

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) A 49-year-old woman from Metro Manila with Influenza A(H1N1) has died, the Department of Health (DoH) said Monday.

However, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said it could not be immediately confirmed if the woman, who also had heart disease, died due to the A(H1N1) virus.

According to the woman’s autopsy report, she died of “congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction aggravated by pneumonia,” Duque said.

The woman self-medicated with paracetamol and was not among the over 400 confirmed A(H1N1) patients until Saturday, a day after she died last Friday, when doctors got a swab sample from her throat, Duque said.

The woman’s family reported to the DoH that she had flu symptoms before her death, prompting the A(H1N1) test, Duque said.

“We report today the death of a 49 year-old female with pre-existing heart disease. She presented flu signs on June 17, such as dry cough, chills and difficulty in breathing just before death on June 19,” said Duque.

“Although the female who died is positive for H1N1, we cannot conclude that death is due to H1N1 but in other countries with deaths from H1N1, majority of deaths are those who have pre-existing medical conditions,” said Duque.

The DoH had said that people with medical conditions such as heart disease and asthma are at higher risk of A(H1N1).

“Because of this first death with incidental finding of H1N1, the DoH will aggressively target those high risk groups. They should be the one receiving supportive care from medical professional. High risk groups with flu signs should immediately go to a doctor,” he reiterated,” Duque said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090622-211839/Woman-with-H1N1-dies-says-DoH

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

Philippines reports 1st swine flu-related death

By TERESA CEROJANO ?

MANILA, Philippines (AP) ? The Philippines confirmed Monday its first swine flu-related death ? a 49-year-old woman who died from congestive heart failure but who also tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

The fatality is the second in the Asia-Pacific region related to swine flu, following the death of a man in Australia on Friday.

Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the woman's chronic heart disease was aggravated by severe pneumonia. She started to have flu-like symptoms such as dry cough, fever, chills and difficulty breathing two days before her death on June 19.

A throat swab revealed she was also infected with the swine flu virus.
Duque said post-autopsy findings disclose that the death was caused by heart failure "aggravated by severe pneumonia either bacterial, viral or both."
Given the available information, health authorities cannot conclude that the death is due to H1N1. In other countries that have reported swine flu deaths, the majority have had pre-existing conditions, he added.

Duque said the Philippines has 17 more confirmed swine flu cases, bringing the total to 445 ? though 84 percent of the total cases have already recovered.
Australian authorities on Sunday listed a 26-year-old Aboriginal man who died in the southern city of Adelaide on Friday as a "suspected" swine flu death. Although the man had tested positive for the virus, authorities doubt it killed him because he also had pre-existing chronic diseases.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h4t1Wcr18S-vMCVzbYpBeHFQ7_6AD98VJJ100

[HenryN]

Re: Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

DOH announces first death in RP linked to A(H1N1)

06/22/2009 | 02:39 PM
A 49-year-old Filipino woman infected with Influenza A(H1N1) has died, the country?s first fatality related to the new flu strain, a health official said Monday.

In a press conference in Malaca?ang, Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, director for the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the Department of Health, said the woman died of "congestive heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction" on June 19.

According to the patient's family, the woman developed flu-like symptoms on June 17 but still went to work that day, radio dzBB reported. She was reported to have become "restless" two days later, which prompted her family to call for medical help, but she died at home before the doctor came, according to the report.

In a separate news conference at the DOH, Secretary Francisco Duque III said the woman had a "pre-existing heart disease" that worsened her infection. She also had a liver disease, Oliveros said.

A mouth swab was taken from the patient when she was already dead, which confirmed that she had been infected by the A(H1N1) virus, Duque said.

"A(H1N1) is not the cause of death, but the virus could have exacerbated the situation," Duque said.

According to the World Health Organization, most cases of severe and fatal infections of A(H1N1) have been in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years. Many of them had "underlying chronic conditions" such as diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity, WHO director-general Dr. Margaret Chan reported.

The latest tally of A(H1N1) cases in the DOH stands at 445, but 84 per cent of the cases have recovered, Duque said.

Worldwide, the latest WHO update has counted 44,287 cases, with 180 deaths, most of them in the United States and Mexico.

There have been no reports of death in Asia so far, but the Philippines has recorded the highest number of cases in the southeast Asian region.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/165529/DOH-announces-first-death-in-RP-linked-to-A%28H1N1

[HenryN]

Re: Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

DOH announces first death in RP linked to A(H1N1)

06/22/2009 | 02:39 PM
A 49-year-old Filipino woman infected with Influenza A(H1N1) has died, the country?s first fatality related to the new flu strain, a health official said Monday.

<snip>
According to the patient's family, the woman developed flu-like symptoms on June 17 but still went to work that day, radio dzBB reported. She was reported to have become "restless" two days later, which prompted her family to call for medical help, but she died at home before the doctor came, according to the report.


http://www.gmanews.tv/story/165529/D...ed-to-A%28H1N1

49F develops flu like symptoms, but goes to work. Two days later becomes restless (likely delerium due to brain infection) and dies prior to arrival of medical help. Postumously identified as H1N1 infected.

News conference focuses on pre-existing condition and ignores rapid decline and neurological involvement.

[tropical]

Re: Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

#3: News text DOH ""A(H1N1) is not the cause of death, but the virus could have exacerbated the situation," Duque said."


It will be correct from the health/... estabs to cut off with this "not the cause" nonsense and the artificial lowering of CFR novel flu numbers.

New Flu IS the precipitatory CAUSATIVE agent.

Flu INDUCED a premature death to the victims by it's direct action or by worsening existing illnesses, so this novel pandemic AH1N1 WAS the cause of death, there and elsewhere where flu illnesed succumbed.

The worldwide suptilization and primarization of the later death causes by the minorization of the initial flu precursor is missleading and bad, posing the death of people with other illnesses in a light as already inevitable.

[St Michael]

Re: Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

49F develops flu like symptoms, but goes to work. Two days later becomes restless (likely delerium due to brain infection) and dies prior to arrival of medical help. Postumously identified as H1N1 infected.

News conference focuses on pre-existing condition and ignores rapid decline and neurological involvement.

Good observation, Dr. Niman.

I don't recall seeing much mention of possible neurological involvement in previous reports, or even in FT commentary here on previous reports (though I seem to recall neurological involvement with H5N1.)

So are we identifying neurological involvement as a new harbinger of increased virulence alongside cyanosis?

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

See also this thread on a case in Chile, on possible neuro invasion in relation with H1N1:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111814

[Shiloh]

Re: Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

Source: http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl108672.htm

FIRST H1N1 FLU DEATH REPORTED IN RP

MANILA, JUNE 23, 2009 (STAR) By Sheila Crisostomo - The Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday the country?s first death from Influenza A(H1N1), a 49-year-old mother who was known to have other pre-existing illnesses.

The latest total count of infected cases nationwide soared to 445 after 17 more were recorded yesterday. The good news, however, is that out of the total cases, 374 have fully recovered.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that based on the autopsy report, the viral infection was not the primary cause of the death, but rather ?congestive heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction aggravated by severe pneumonia ? either bacterial, viral or both.?

?This one is a very interesting case. It embodies several high-risk and pre-disposing factors that accelerated the death (of the patient). It is in line with what we have been saying for several weeks, that complicated cases will be encountered,? Duque noted at a press conference.

Aside from congestive heart disease, the patient was found to have tuberculosis, enlarged liver, kidney and spleen, tumor in the uterus and tyromegaly or goiter.

The patient was not even in the DOH?s records of suspected and confirmed A(H1N1) cases and had no history of travel to countries that have the virus.

According to Duque, the patient came home from work with a cough last June 17 and developed fever, cold and chills the following day so she did not report for work.

On June 19, the patient was no longer able to take her breakfast and suddenly experienced difficulty in breathing. She died even before the doctor called by her family arrived.

The next day, the brother notified Duque about the incident and throat swab samples were collected from the patient.

The specimens tested positive for A(H1N1).

?Given the available information, we cannot conclude that the death is due to A(H1N1). But in other countries which have reported A(H1N1) deaths, a majority have pre-existing medical conditions. We condole with the family of the patient as we mourn her untimely death,? Duque, who was a friend of the patient?s brother, said.

He assured the public that the patient no longer poses a threat to those who might attend her wake because the virus dies when the host-body perishes.

The DOH had advised the household contacts of the patients to observe self-quarantine while it is checking with others who could have come in close contact with her.

Duque said the husband had manifested symptoms ahead of the patient but he tested negative for the virus when examined. The patient?s son, mother, sister and brother have not developed flu-like symptoms.

With this development, the health secretary said that the DOH will be ?more aggressive in targeting segments of patients with high vulnerability to fatal flu complications and who should be the ones to receive the most care and attention by healthcare professionals.?

Malaca?ang immediately stepped into the picture and urged the public not to panic.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the victim was considered a ?high-risk? case and health authorities still consider her infection as mild.

?I think our DOH officials are on the right track by giving more attention to the high-risk patients,? Fajardo said.

?There?s nothing to be alarmed about. Again we just need to be prepared and that?s what we?re doing right now,? she added.

Scary projection

Although the health department is doing its best to prevent the virus from spreading, one of its officials estimated that around 22.5 million Filipinos may be afflicted with it, considering the way it has been spreading.

Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, head of the agency?s Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease Program, told the panel of South Cotabato Rep. Arthur Pingoy that the virus could affect 25 percent of the population estimated to be at least 90 million.

?When you talk about projection, with the 25 percent attack rate, we can say that we are expecting 25 percent of the population to be affected with influenza A(H1N1),? he told Para?aque Rep. Roilo Golez.

Suy, however, did not specify any time frame for the spread of the disease.

Dr. Vito Roque, head of the surveillance unit of the DOH National Epidemiological Center, acknowledged that the current trend of the virus is steadily increasing, as evidenced by the day-to-day monitoring of cases.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon said the first casualty of A(H1N1) virus should be thoroughly studied by the health department to determine if a new strain had indeed claimed the life of the victim.

?The first A(H1N1) death in the country should be fully investigated by the DOH in order to determine if it was caused by a new strain of the virus or if the victim simply had a weaker physical condition,? he said.

?The first few hundred cases were considered mild. But this death might be the start of the stronger cases, hence the DOH should take extra effort in containing the virus,? added Biazon.

During the initial stage of the briefing, Golez showed disappointment over the absence of Duque and warned the representatives of DOH about its logistical capability.

?I know that Secretary Duque is busy, but this is a very important matter. I am going to ask the policies and budgetary concerns of the agency.?

But Suy defended his boss? absence. ?The secretary is currently attending an emergency meeting regarding H1N1.?

Still wreaking havoc

But while the bureaucracy is neck-deep in its efforts to control the spread of the virus, several other cases have been recorded all over the country, prompting schools to suspend classes.

In Metro Manila, St. Scholastica?s College in Manila and St. Paul College-Makati had suspended classes for 10 days starting yesterday due to A(H1N1). Classes for pre-school, elementary and high school students will resume at both schools on July 1 when school facilities have already been subjected to disinfection.

Reedley International School in Libis, Quezon City and Rosary Hills International School in Kaybiga in Caloocan City also suspended classes yesterday.

Dr. Teresita Domalanta, of the Department of Education National Capital Region, said classes were also suspended in La Salle Greenhills, San Juan; Don Bosco Technical Institute, the St. Bernadette School and the Southridge-PAREF School in Mandaluyong City.

Adamson University-Manila suspended classes at all levels but only for five days with one confirmed case of A(H1N1). Classes will resume on June 25.

The University of Santo Tomas in Espa?a, Manila had suspended classes for a number of courses housed in its St. Martin de Porres Building.

Among the UST colleges that had suspended their classes for 10 days are the Colleges of Nursing, Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences.

University of Cebu in Mandaue City had three confirmed cases that resulted in some 600 nautical course students being quarantined.

Two cases were reported at Karangalan Elementary School in Cainta, Rizal while 11 persons, including nine students, were reportedly infected in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, leading to the suspension of classes in at least six schools.

Six of the infected students were from Sta. Rosa Central School and three from Canossa Academy School.

Nazareno said the patients are now being treated and are responding well to medication.

Classes were also suspended at the Sacred Heart College in Tacloban City after a Grade IV pupil was monitored with the viral infection.

City health officer Dr. Jaime Opinion reported that it is monitoring 163 individuals who were exposed to persons confirmed with the virus.

Two of the three cases in Eastern Visayas are residents of Tacloban. The other, a 44-year-old seaman, is from Catbalogan, Samar.

The three are now confined at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, the hospital designated by the DOH for treatment of persons infected with the virus.

However, not everything is lost in the fight against A(H1N1).

Dr. Rio Magpantay, DOH director in Central Luzon, yesterday said that the panic triggered by the outbreak has already died down after 53 out of 55 cases in San Fernando, Pampanga have recovered.

?I think the panic dissipated after people found out that those stricken with A(H1N1) fully recovered within three to four days,? Magpantay told The STAR.

He said swab samples were taken over the weekend from 32 students of schools in Camiling, Tarlac and another 30 people in Bulacan, Hagonoy and Guiguinto in Bulacan after they manifested flu-like symptoms.

Results on the swab laboratory tests were still being awaited as of yesterday.

He said of the total 55 confirmed cases so far in Central Luzon, 27 were in Guiguinto and Bulacan in Bulacan, 26 in Jaen, Licab, Lupao and Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija, and one each in Angeles City and Floridablanca in Pampanga.

The only two victims still recovering from the virus are from Bulacan, while the rest fully recovered in three to four days.

Magpantay said that the DOH is now less preoccupied with tracing the contacts of the cases and has zeroed in on containing the spread of existing cases.

?We have enough supply of Tamiflu and all our patients took the medication for their recovery,? he said.

He said the panic that initially ensued from the emergence of the new flu ailment has died down, attributing this to media reports that stressed the mild nature of A(H1N1) in the country.

?Reports that the victims readily recovered in three to four days has somehow taken away the worry of people,? he added. ? With reports from Dennis Carcamo, Ding Cervantes, Miriam Desacada, Arnell Ozaeta, Delon Porcalla, Dino Balabo, Paolo Romero, Rainier Allan Ronda...

[hornblower]

Re: Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20090623-211961/Dead-woman-with-A1H1-House-staff--solon

Dead woman with A1H1 House staff--solon

At least 3 more test positive

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 10:12:00 06/23/2009

Filed Under: Swine Flu, Health, Government


MANILA, Philippines? (UPDATE 2) The woman who died with H1N1 virus was an employee of the House of Representatives, and two or three more employees of the chamber have been tested positive for the deadly flu, said South Cotabato Representative Arthur Pingoy, chairman of the committee on heath.

Following this confirmation, employees of the House of Representatives have been instructed to go home.

?The employees will all be monitored,? Speaker Prospero Nograles said in a text message when asked for his instructions amid the recent development.
He said that the medical department of the House ?will work this out properly according to standard procedures.?

The Department of Health has been alerted of the development, Nograles added.

In a phone interview, Pingoy also said the 49-year-old fatality worked for the committee secretariat of the House which holds office at the third floor of the Mitra building at the Batasan Pambansa complex.

Officials of the House, headed by deputy secretary general Dr. Ricardo Roque, are meeting as of posting time, to discuss what to do amid the development.

House employees are awaiting announcement if they would be sent home. ?The problem is the House seemed not prepared for this,? Pingoy said.

On Monday, Pingoy?s committee held a meeting with health officials and representatives of concerned agencies to get an update of the H1N1 situation

The fatality died of heart attack in her home, but tests on her also indicated that she was positive for H1N1.

[prepdeb]

Re: Philippines - Woman with H1N1 Dies

Philippines closes lower House after employee with A/H1N1 dies
15:47, June 23, 2009

Philippine top legislator on Tuesday ordered the suspension of work in the House of Representatives after one of its employees infected with A/H1N1 Influenza virus died, the first death case of the novel flu in Asia.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles said the closure of the Batasan Pambansa complex, or the House compound, will last until June 28, to allow safety and preventive measures to be implemented.

Nograles' order came one day after the Department of Health announced that a 49-year-old woman tested positive for A/H1N1 flu died of heart disease on June 19, or last Friday.

"The latest reported casualty is one of our employees," Nograles said in a statement. "Our Medical services will spearhead all the necessary precautionary steps needed to eliminate further health hazards. This includes the necessary contact tracing of possible victims and their families".

About 3,000 employees of the House have been receiving free flu vaccination since Monday and it could be extended to members of their families by next week, the statement said.

By Monday, the Philippine health authorities have reported 445 confirmed A/H1N1 influenza cases, but 374 of them, or 84 percent, have fully recovered.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/90880/6684556.html