A (H1N1) Ironies

Interesting how this pandemic A(H1N1) Virus brings ironies on us, Filipinos.

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Irony #1:

Sources say the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus that struck and caused a community outbreak in Hilera, Jaen, Nueva Ecija might have originated from some Foreign Doctors who conducted a Medical Mission in the area prior to the spread of the virus.

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Irony #2:

Take this case of the teen-ager who tested positive of the Influenza Virus. The girl, a balik-bayan from the US came home in the Philippines to visit her relatives in Pugad Baboy, a community in Poblacion Sur, Licab, Nueva Ecija.

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Irony #3:

Inquirer.net has this interesting story:

Swine Flu has paralyzed the House of pork.

The House of Representatives whose members receive pork barrel has suspended office work for five days after reports that the country’s first swine flu-related fatality was its employee.


For the nth time, heckler has this outrageous take:

A number of congressmen scored the Department of Health for not warning
them that the first swine flu fatality was from the Lower House. Unfazed, health
officials told the solons they had nothing to worry about since there has yet to
be a documented case of human to crocodile transmission.

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Irony #4:

In Jesus' time, flocks of people come to Jesus to get healed. They'd do whatever it takes in order to get His attention so they may be healed.

In fact, one woman, who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, said:

"If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed".



Today, the Catholic dioceses are advising their parishioners not to kiss or wipe religious images with their handkerchiefs

Earlier this month, the Archdiocese of Manila issued a circular advising their priests to temporarily cease from giving communion by mouth, but for the holy host to be placed in the hand of the one receiving communion.

Parishioners were also discouraged from holding hands while singing the Our Father.

(source: philstar)

Is The Philippines Ready for the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus?

Last week, the DOH has confirmed that they have recorded the first Influenza A (H1N1) case in the Philippines. As of posting, there are already 2 victims in the country, and they are still monitoring more than 10 people.

To spearhead an anti- Influenza A (H1N1) Virus campaign, President Gloria Arroyo visited a public school in Manila yesterday to emphasize the need for proper hygiene and cleanliness even in the schools.

However, the school itself is not ready- at least- for a basic cleanliness material- TRASH CAN.

Philstar reports:

President Arroyo was visibly peeved yesterday after finding no wastebasket in which to throw a piece of tissue she had used to wipe her hands during an anti-Influenza A(H1N1) campaign at a school in Manila.

After rolling up the tissue paper, the President searched her immediate surroundings for a wastebasket, found none, and started telling the officials around her about the need to have wastebaskets around, particularly beside the faucets.

The officials scrambled around and produced a cardboard box for the President’s trash.
Members of the President’s team explained later that the box was originally placed under the faucets but it had to be removed in order to avoid obstructing the movement of the President.

Apparently, Mrs. Arroyo wanted to see actual wastebaskets and not makeshift cardboard boxes

If simple basic necessities like trash can are not available at hand in schools and other public places, how can we be so sure that we are ready, not only for the Influenza Virus, but in any possible virus outbreak in the country?

Cleanliness, folks, is a better way than to scrumble for cure when the disease attacks.

Update: Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Enters Philippines

The Department of Health confirmed Thursday night (May 21, 2009) that a 10-year old Filipina who arrived in the Philippines from the United States has tested positive of the Influenza A H1N1 Virus.

Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III, who is attending a World Health Organization meeting, said via a video conference, " the DoH confirms today the first case of AH1N1 in the Philippines. She is a female traveler who arrived in the country on May 18 from the United States, whose throat specimen tested positive based on results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine".

The DOH calls on all the people to be vigilant in ensuring proper hygiene and being extra health conscious in order to avoid the flu virus.

Even in various private and government offices, people are being advised to practice proper hygiene, such as:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
• Making sure your children follow this advice.

Update On H1N1 Virus

The World Health Organization has continued to advice an alert status concerning the H1N1 Virus, as more cases of this flu has been traced in various parts of the world.

For additional reading:

How Deadly is the H1N1 Virus?


Local News Networks in the Philippines report last night that the virus is not transmitted to humans by merely eating swine meat. With this, authorities are asking that the term "Swine Flu" should not be used to refer to the virus, but rather, H1N1 virus is the proper term to use.

So, ano pa'ng hinihintay nating mga Pinoy?

Attack!

Swine Flu: Facts & Infos We Should Know

The whole world is watching closely.

Everyone is alarmed at the newest health disease outbreak known as the Swine Influenza or Swine Flu virus.

Swine influenza, or “swine flu", is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Morbidity tends to be high and mortality low (1-4%). The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones. Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza.


Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2). Pigs can also be infected with avian influenza viruses and human seasonal influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been originally introduced into pigs by humans. Sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time, which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix. This can result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources, called a "reassortant" virus. Although swine influenza viruses are normally species specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans. (source: gmanews research)



The flu was believed to have originated from Mexico, and while there has yet to be a case report on the Philippines, the Department of Health is securing all measures to protect the people.

Click here for additional FAQs on Swine Flu Virus.

Pacquiao and The Swine Flu Virus

Isn't it just fit that Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao should be quarantined and examined for a possible infection of the Swine Flu Virus?

The virus was believed to have originated from Mexico, home of Pacquiao's former foes Marquez, Barrera, Morales, Diaz, etc.

Seriously now.

The bets begin to escalate as the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout nears. The bout, entitled, The Battle of East and West, is scheduled on May 2, 2009 (May 3 in the Philippines) at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada. For now, the bettors in Las Vegas still favor Pacquiao over Hatton at 2-1.

Aside from the bloody fight, Siyetehan expects:


• Low, or even zero Crime rate in the country during the fight.

• A lot of congressmen, senators and other politicians flying to Las Vegas to watch it live.

• GMA Network to capitalize on advertising.

• ABS-CBN to spoil GMA by announcing the winner even before the fight is finished at GMA network.

• people will comment on how Martin Nievera sings the National Anthem.

• Movie houses and other establishments to earn a lot for their live telecast via pay per view.

• Gloria to wait for the time when she will call Pacquiao to greet him on the phone while inside the ring (if Pacquiao wins).

• Atienza to organize a welcome parade (if Pacquiao wins).

• Politicians to flock inside the ring for a photo opt with Pacquiao (if Pacquiao wins).

• Chavit to earn more, or lose more, depending if Pacquaio wins or loses.

• And for the whole Philippines to stop and let their eyes glued on their television set watching and hoping that the Pinoy will once again triumph and beat the odds.