WITH the failure of containment, the Department of Health has shifted focus against the A (H1N1) flu virus to mitigation by training as many health-service personnel as possible on the basic handling of the disease.

“As we anticipate more cases in the coming months, we must institute effective mitigation measures to save lives and prevent deaths, and to reduce the impact of the pandemic to our nation and the economy,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday.

Even far-off Mindanao has not been spared as 13 suspected cases have been found with one, a student in Zamboanga City falling ill, six people cleared, with the remaining six still waiting for results of their tests.

President Arroyo has, meanwhile, checked out of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center on Thursday after observing two nights of “self-quarantine” upon arrival from her latest foreign trips. She was pronounced free of the flu.

While the health department lifted the requirement for self-quarantine for travelers arriving from abroad, the President decided on the measure amid criticisms the quarantine lifting may be for the benefit of the Chief Executive, who was then flying in from Hong Kong, her last stop in a swing through Latin and North America.

In other developments, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) urged the labor department to compel large firms employing more than 500 workers to promptly submit their “preparedness plans” in dealing with the spread of the swine flu.

In a statement, TUCP secretary-general and former senator Ernesto Herrera said, “The DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment] has to ensure that business establishments, particularly the labor-intensive ones, are taking adequate preventive measures” since the illness could very well affect economic activities to the disadvantage of workers, businesses and the public alike.

Manila tops Asean tally

This developed as the World Health Organization (WHO), in its latest global situation update, reported the Philippines has eclipsed Thailand among countries in Southeast Asia, with confirmed A(H1N1) cases of 861, including one death as of 5 p.m. on June 29.

Closely following the Philippines in the region are Thailand (774 cases, no death); Singapore (599 cases, no death); New Zealand (587 cases, no death); Spain (541 cases, no death); and Israel (469 cases, no death).

 The WHO update shows the greatest number are in the United States (27,717 cases, 127 deaths); Mexico (8,279 cases, 116 deaths); Canada (7,775 cases, 21 deaths); Chile (5,186 cases, seven deaths); the United Kingdom (4,250 cases, one death); Australia (4,038 cases, seven deaths); Argentina (1,488 cases, 23 deaths); China (1,442 cases, no death); and Japan (1,212 cases, no death).

In the Zamboanga case, the 9-year-old flu-stricken boy—he is now well—was reported to have had contact with a relative in Manila found positive of A(H1N1) infection.

The boy and the entire family placed themselves on home quarantine from June 22 and were provided antiviral treatment by the Department of Health.

 Meanwhile, the health department is intensifying its information drive on swine flu and Duque said, “We have also requested the NDDC member agencies, especially DepEd, CHED and Tesda and PIA to help us in our nationwide campaign against A [H1N1]. This is to make sure that our information and education activities reach all schools, barangays and provinces in the country.” 

The DOH have not yet recommend the public to use face masks or any personal protective equipment, but several companies manufacturing face masks have been taking advantage of the fear and are offering such protective gear.

Health experts warned, however, that not all face masks are effective and the only ones capable of preventing infection are the N95 class face masks and those treated with antipathogen solutions.

The experts said that the best protection is not to frequent crowded places and boost one’s immune system by adequate rest, hydration, fresh air, balanced diet, and moderate exercise.

MedTecs International Corp. Ltd. vice president Earl Montero said they are manufacturing an “all-Filipino” made face masks (N95 and 3-ply N88), isolation gowns, shoe covers and bouffant hats.  (With M. Gonzalez, S. Fabunan, B. Garcia, Jr.)