DepEd pressed to postpone June 1 school opening over A(H1N1) cases

MANILA, Philippines – A senator on Monday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to postpone the start of classes to prevent the spread of the A(H1N1) virus in the Philippines which has already reported two confirmed cases. “We’ve got to prevent the spread of H1N1 virus in the country, starting from the most vulnerable in our population, our children," Senator Edgardo Angara said in a press statement. Angara, who has chaired both Senate Committees on Education and Health in the past, said studies show that flu viruses circulate all year round in tropical and subtropical areas, unlike in countries with a temperate climate, where flu is prevalent only in winter. “Our tropical climate allows flu viruses to circulate all year round. Coupled with the global mobility of our population, this makes our country a potential hotspot of the H1N1 virus," Angara said. He noted that A(H1N1) – commonly known as swine flu - is transferred from person-to-person contact, and the cramped classrooms can serve as an excellent conductor of the virus. "Before we know it many of our school children and their families could be sick with H1N1," Angara said. He warned that the situation could lead to pandemic of deadly proportions, one which the country may not have the proper preparation or capacity to address. He said health experts have earlier warned against a possible mutation of the swine flu virus, which could be lethal than its current form, and which could be resistant to generic flu medicine such as Tamiflu. “Since a vaccine against H1N1 has yet to be formulated, we’ve got to be more cautious in preventing the spread of the disease," Angara said. Aside from deferring the start of classes on the first week of June, Angara also recommends a stepped-up public information campaign on detecting symptoms of the H1N1 virus, and what to do should these symptoms be spotted. - Amita O. Legaspi, GMANews.TV