29 students in Nueva Ecija under observation for A(H1N1) - TV report

MANILA, Philippines - At least 29 students in the province of Nueva Ecija are being monitored by health and school officials for possible Influenza A(H1N1) infection. A report aired on QTV's "News on Q" said that the students came in close contact with a 19-year-old female who just came from the United States with flu like symptoms. The report said upon the woman's arrival in the country, she visited a hospital before proceeding to Nueva Ecija to visit a relative's wake. She is now confined in an undisclosed medical facility in Metro Manila for more examinations. Health officials in the province, meanwhile, advised school officials not to panic as they await the result of the students’ laboratory results. Earlier Monday, the Health department announced that five more people tested positive for the virus. This brings to 21 the total number of the country's confirmed "swine flu" cases. The Health department added that 262 of 315 observed were discharged, while some 32 people are still being observed. Duque said the newest infected people remain confined in undisclosed medical facilities in the country. The World Health Organization says 53 countries have reported more than 15,000 cases of swine flu, including 99 deaths. The tally excludes the three cases in Vietnam. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV