A(H1N1) virus threat still looms over RP; cases rise to 5,728 in 33 countries

MANILA, Philippines – The dreaded Influenza (A)H1N1 virus continued to threaten the Philippines on Wednesday, with two new cases were recorded in two Asian countries. According to the World Health Organization’s latest report, there are now 12 cases in four countries in Asia – Japan (4), South Korea (3), China (mainland-2, Hong Kong Special Administrative region -1), and Thailand (1). As this developed, the Associated Press reported that there are now two confirmed cases in Hong Kong. Still, the Philippines remained free from the virus with 39 cases being tested negative for A(H1N1) virus contraction. The Philippine Health Department said seven are under observation in various hospitals across the country. Based on WHO’s May 13 report (Update 27), the global death toll was still pegged at 61 – 56 in Mexico, three in the United States, and one each in Canada and Costa Rica. In 33 countries, there are now 5,728 confirmed human cases of the virus infection – an alarming 22,784 percent increase within 19 days when the WHO first reported on the impending outbreak on April 24. At that time, there were only 25 cases. Of the 5,728 present cases, 5,486 alone are found in 11 countries in the Americas: Mexico (2,059); US (3,009); Canada (358; Panama (29); Costa Rica (8); Brazil (8); El Salvador (4); Colombia (6); Guatemala (3); Argentina (1) and Cuba (1). The US logged the highest increase – 39 percent – from May 12 to 13, prompting health authorities to advice pregnant women to take prescription flu medicines if should they be diagnosed with the disease. Of the 3,009 cases, at least 20 are pregnant. Dr. Anne Schuchat of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said pregnancy weakens a woman's immune system, so that she's more likely to suffer pneumonia when she catches the flu. In earlier flu pandemics, infection also raised the risk of a premature birth, said Schuchat. Even one of the three deaths in the US was a 33-year-old pregnant woman from Texas. The woman died last week. In Europe, 15 countries are battling with 215 cases of the disease. These are Spain (98 cases); United Kingdom (68); France (13); Germany (12); Italy (9); the Netherlands (3); Sweden, Norway, and Finland with two cases each and Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland with one case each. Eight cases have been recorded in Oceania – seven in New Zealand and one in Australia – while the there are seven in the Middle Eastern country of Israel. - GMANews.TV