DOH warns of ‘more virulent’ A (H1N1) strain

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 06/23/2009 1:46 AM

A Department of Health (DOH) official on Monday warned of a “second wave” of the influenza A (H1N1) virus with a strain which can be “more virulent and more fatal” as the country recorded its first fatality who was also infected with the dreaded virus.

“We are not headed for a second wave yet but we have to be prepared,” DOH Director Yolanda Oliveros said in a release posted on the Web site of the Office of the Press Secretary..

Oliveros said the health department is now preparing its facilities and conducting simulation exercises as 445 cases of A (H1N1) infections have been reported, including 17 new ones Monday. DOH said 84 percent of infected patients have recovered and discharged from hospitals.

“Our most important response, however, is risk communication to reduce panic, and sound health infrastructure to make sure all hospitals and health facilities will be prepared to address the severely-ill cases that will be brought to hospitals,” she said.

Oliveros added however that the threat of a “second wave” of A H1N1 virus may not really be serious.

Oliveros also cited that the increasing number of schools was due to the heightened awareness, “They report the cases to us and we examine the students,” she said.

More schools have announced suspensions of classes due to confirmed or suspected cases of A (H1N1) infection.

A 49-year old woman from Metro Manila with Influenza A (H1N1) has died of congestive heart failure, the DOH said Monday.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the woman, who has a history of chronic heart disease, exhibited symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) infection namely dry cough, fever and chills and difficulty of breathing on June 17. She died two days later.

Post-autopsy findings disclosed that the death was caused by congestive heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction aggravated by severe pneumonia either bacterial, viral or both. Duque said a throat-swab revealed that she was positive for A (H1N1).

The health chief said the woman's husband and 21-year-old son were quarantined after exhibiting symptoms of A (H1N1) infection. He said the woman's family has yet to determine where she got the infection.

"She has no history of travel. Cause of death is congestive heart failure secondary to arterosclerotic heart disease. This means that the blood passageway to her heart was blocked. We're currently doing contact tracing of the family," Duque told radio dzMM.

He said the woman is scheduled to be buried Tuesday.

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