Swine Flu infection up in Caraga
Butuan, Bayugan on Top
Butuan, Bayugan on Top
By: BABES D. TUSO
HERNE BAGASLAO
HERNE BAGASLAO
OBET SAMONTE
JOY MORANO
Butuan City- The Center for Health and Development (CHD) Caraga of the Department of Health is strengthening its monitoring and surveillance to contain and limit the spread of the deadly influenza A (H1N1) virus particularly in this city and in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, the top two highest cases in the region.
As of press time, there are already 20 positive cases in the region since May 23, 2009. At least five more cases are under observation with pending laboratory results that may add to the number of cases.
Confirmed laboratory results showed Butuan City has now a total of eight cases, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur followed closely with seven cases, another three cases in the province of Agusan del Norte while Surigao City and Surigao del Sur each registered one case. The provinces of Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Bislig City on the other hand, remain swine flu free.
CHD Regional Director Leonita Gorgolon in a consultation among school officials said that counting by morbidity since the onset of the dreaded illness starting from the first two recorded laboratory confirmed A (H1N1) cases on June 21-27, there was a lull of just two weeks from June 21-July 4 when another case was added during the period of July 5-11. The following week, cases suddenly shot up to seven until it climbs up to 10 cases during the period of July 19-25.
“This sudden rise of “swine flu” cases in a matter of days is already a cause for alarm, though compared with other regions, ours can still be considered “less alarming,” she said.
The lady director however clarified that they are doing everything to contain and limit the spread of the virus.
Just recently, school administrators decided to suspend classes at all levels in Agusan National Highschool (ANHS) starting Tuesday (July 28) until August 6 following two confirmed case involving third year high schools.
Dr. Gerna Manatad, Regional Epidemiologist explained that the cancellation of classes was implemented for students to observe self-quarantine.
Health authorities are now currently investigating and doing contact tracing. Close contacts of the positive students including classmates and faculties were already instructed to do self-monitoring of symptoms at home and to report immediately if they become ill.
ANHS has more or less 9,000 students. School officials and health authorities feared the virus may spread fast as the school is thickly populated.
At least 19 students have earlier manifested flu like symptoms and were immediately subjected for swab test to determine possible infection of the deadly influenza, says School Principal Peter Esterioso.
Meanwhile, the Gorgolon appealed to students and school staff of ANHS to temporarily avoid going to malls and other crowded areas during the period of class suspension.
Last week, classes of private Rainbow school were also suspended after a second case involving a teacher of the earlier reported 9 year old positive three weeks ago. Classes were also suspended in Noli High School and Agusan del Sur Pilot Laboratory School in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur following a confirmed case from a student whose name is withheld for anonymity reason.
This week, the City Health Office is also monitoring the flu-like symptomatic students of Agusan Institution of Technology.
Since May 23, 2009, the CHD has monitored a total of 50 Cases Under Observation (CUO’s). Laboratory result shows 20 were positive, 24 were negative, five with pending laboratory result, and one case positively linked to a confirmed A (H1N1) case.The CHD reiterated that the best precautionary measures to prevent from infection are frequent hand washing, proper cough manners, avoid close contact with sick people, stay at home if sick, avoid crowded places if possible and boosting one’s immune system.
As of press time, there are already 20 positive cases in the region since May 23, 2009. At least five more cases are under observation with pending laboratory results that may add to the number of cases.
Confirmed laboratory results showed Butuan City has now a total of eight cases, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur followed closely with seven cases, another three cases in the province of Agusan del Norte while Surigao City and Surigao del Sur each registered one case. The provinces of Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Bislig City on the other hand, remain swine flu free.
CHD Regional Director Leonita Gorgolon in a consultation among school officials said that counting by morbidity since the onset of the dreaded illness starting from the first two recorded laboratory confirmed A (H1N1) cases on June 21-27, there was a lull of just two weeks from June 21-July 4 when another case was added during the period of July 5-11. The following week, cases suddenly shot up to seven until it climbs up to 10 cases during the period of July 19-25.
“This sudden rise of “swine flu” cases in a matter of days is already a cause for alarm, though compared with other regions, ours can still be considered “less alarming,” she said.
The lady director however clarified that they are doing everything to contain and limit the spread of the virus.
Just recently, school administrators decided to suspend classes at all levels in Agusan National Highschool (ANHS) starting Tuesday (July 28) until August 6 following two confirmed case involving third year high schools.
Dr. Gerna Manatad, Regional Epidemiologist explained that the cancellation of classes was implemented for students to observe self-quarantine.
Health authorities are now currently investigating and doing contact tracing. Close contacts of the positive students including classmates and faculties were already instructed to do self-monitoring of symptoms at home and to report immediately if they become ill.
ANHS has more or less 9,000 students. School officials and health authorities feared the virus may spread fast as the school is thickly populated.
At least 19 students have earlier manifested flu like symptoms and were immediately subjected for swab test to determine possible infection of the deadly influenza, says School Principal Peter Esterioso.
Meanwhile, the Gorgolon appealed to students and school staff of ANHS to temporarily avoid going to malls and other crowded areas during the period of class suspension.
Last week, classes of private Rainbow school were also suspended after a second case involving a teacher of the earlier reported 9 year old positive three weeks ago. Classes were also suspended in Noli High School and Agusan del Sur Pilot Laboratory School in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur following a confirmed case from a student whose name is withheld for anonymity reason.
This week, the City Health Office is also monitoring the flu-like symptomatic students of Agusan Institution of Technology.
Since May 23, 2009, the CHD has monitored a total of 50 Cases Under Observation (CUO’s). Laboratory result shows 20 were positive, 24 were negative, five with pending laboratory result, and one case positively linked to a confirmed A (H1N1) case.The CHD reiterated that the best precautionary measures to prevent from infection are frequent hand washing, proper cough manners, avoid close contact with sick people, stay at home if sick, avoid crowded places if possible and boosting one’s immune system.
JULY 22 - 28, 2009 VOLUME 1 NO; 11 BUTUAN CITY PHILIPPINES
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