A(H1N1) could hit 25% of RP population

MANILA, Philippines - With the fast rate of its spread, one-fourth of the Philippines' almost 90 million citizens could be hit with the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, a Department of Health (DOH) official said Monday. Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, head of the DOH's Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease Program, said during the hearing of the House committee on Health that the possible "projection" is based on the current 25 percent attack rate of the virus in the country. “When you talk about projection, with the 25 percent attack rate, we can say that we are expecting 25 percent of the population to be affected with influenza A (H1N1)," Suy said in response to the inquiry of Parañaque City Rep. Roilo Golez. Suy told reporters after the hearing that there is no projected "timeline" for the spread of disease, but that the figures are expected to rise further before they wane. Suy noted, however, that most of the cases in the Philippines and in the world are only "mild," and assured that the DOH is doing everything it can to mitigate the spread of the virus. He also said that a vaccine against the novel virus could be available within five to six months, adding that international health authorities are already in talks with pharmaceutical manufacturers over the development of the vaccine. Dr. Maria Nerissa Dominguez, a representative of the Department of Health, affirmed this. She said during the hearing that health authorities have been coordinating with manufacturers since the declaration of an A(H1N1) pandemic in June 11. She said the WHO is eyeing October as the target month for the availability of the vaccine. Dr. Oscar Aragon, president of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, said they are already coordinating with the WHO in preparing the vaccine. "We have to conduct all the necessary tests to come up with the final product," said Aragon during the hearing. Health committee chair Arthur Pingoy lauded health authorities' determination to make vaccines available at the soonest possible time, but said they should also ensure that the vaccines will be "affordable and accessible" to the general public. Earlier in the day, DOH officials said the number of confirmed cases of A(H1N1) now stands at 445, although 84 per cent of the cases have recovered. Also during the day, the virus claimed its first fatality in the Philippines - and in Asia - with the death of a 49-year old Filipino woman who had a pre-existing heart disease. - GMANews.TV