The Philippines' first case of influenza A (H1N1), a 10-year-old girl who arrived from the US on May 18, no longer has fever and is "recovering well," health officials announced Friday.

In a press conference on Friday, Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde announced that the girl's mother, the person who has been in close contact with the girl, has tested negative for H1N1. The girl, however, is still suffering from sore throat.

Dr. Mavic Vasquez, medical officer of the Department of Health (DOH), said they have obtained the manifest of the flight taken by the girl. Passengers who were seated around six feet or three rows in front, beside, and at the back of the girl have been identified.

These 17 passengers who sat closest to the girl are being traced so they can be notified and told to be vigilant about their health condition. 

These people should immediately inform health authorities if they develop flu-like symptoms so they can be quarantined.

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In an interview on Umagang Kay Ganda, Dr. Eric Tayag, chief of the Epidemiology Center of the Philippines-DOH, said the girl can go home in five days if her condition continues to improve.

"Sa tinaggap naming ulat, bumubuti ang lagay ng bata. Limang araw mula ngayon maari nang umuwi sa tahanan. Maganda dito, nang nilagnat siya, nagpatingin agad at tinawag sa amin. Napadala agad sa RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) kaya hindi kumalat sa kanilang tahanan, parang na-restrain natin," Tayag said.

The girl came home with her parents on May 18. After her arrival, she suffered from fever, cough, and sore throat, and was immediately rushed to the hospital on May 19.

The RITM got hold of the tissue samples from the patient last May 20 and confirmed on Thursday that she tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

The DOH has advised the girl's family to undergo home quarantine. The DOH is sending another team to the girl's house for a "more thorough assessment."

Limited to one household

Villaverde said health authorities will be studying how virulent the virus is in the Philippines. He said the virus appears to have been "limited to one household."

As observed in the US, Canada, and Mexico, Villaverde said that as more confirmed H1N1 cases are being reported, the fatality rate is declining. He said the virus is turning out to be just like seasonal flu.

However, citing experts of the World Health Organization, Villaverde said the virus can develop into a "more virulent form."

Based on previous flu pandemics, he said the first wave has been mild, while the second wave has been more virulent.

"We still have to observe how this [virus] will develop," he said.

However, he warned the virus could be deadly for those whose immune systems are compromised, pregnant women, and the "very young."

Good for 150,000 
 
Villaverde said the Philippines now has one million doses of oseltamivir, the medicine used to treat such flu cases. Half a million more doses will be donated to the Philippines.

These 1.5 million doses will be "good for 150,000 people."

He advised the public against self-medication since they might develop resistance from the drug.

Villaverde said there is no need to postpone classes, which start in public schools on June 1, since there is still no community outbreak in the Philippines.