Infant under observation in Alabang for A(H1N1)

MANILA, Philippines - An 11-month-old Filipino boy who just came from Japan has been placed under quarantine by the government for possible infection of the Influeza A(H1N1) virus, a television report said Monday. A report aired over GMA News’ “24 Oras" quoted officials from the Department of Health (DOH) as saying that the boy was confined at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The boy was the only one left out of the 62 patients, 34 of them Filipinos, placed under observation by the DOH with regards to the dreaded A(H1N1) virus since May 1, 2009. The individuals who were suspected of A(H1N1)-infection had a history of traveling from countries with confirmed cases of the killer disease, including Mexico, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, China (mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. Meanwhile, the DOH expressed the alarm over the continued increase of confirmed cases worldwide. “The threat of Influenza A(H1N1) is getting nearer our country. This is the very reason why the Department of Health remains vigilant in its guard against the possible entry of Influenza A (H1N1) to our country," it said. In the World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest report, the total number of confirmed A(H1N1) cases is now 8,480 in 39 countries –including Asian nations like China (mainland and Hong Kong), South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, and India. The WHO likewise pegged the global death toll at 72 – with 66 deaths in Mexico, four in the US, and one each in Canada and Costa Rica. The DOH then reiterated its reminder to travelers coming from countries affected with the virus to “closely monitor their health status for 10 days" after arrival. Those who would display signs of flu-like symptoms are advised to seek medical advice immediately for proper action. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV