President Arroyo on Saturday ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to raise the highest alert level on influenza A (H1N1) virus amid the rising number of confirmed cases in the country.

The heightening of the A (H1N1) alert level is one of Mrs. Arroyo's four marching orders to the DOH while she was in a sidetrip in Hong Kong on Saturday, a Malacañang statement said.

The WHO has raised the global alert level on the new virus to Phase 6, which means there are already community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region.

It is the highest alert level, which means a global pandemic is underway, the WHO said.   

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who was with Mrs. Arroyo, said the four orders were:

• Organize quick reaction teams with mobile clinics that can be easily deployed in areas affected by the virus;

• Prepare well-equipped isolation wards in all state-run hospitals and health facilities for the treatment of A H1N1 influenza cases;

• Raise the alert level for AH1N1 influenza to the World Health Organization (WHO) level for increased alertness and preparedness; and

• Tap the pool of still to be employed nurses in helping organize information and education teams to elevate public awareness on proper hygiene and mitigation efforts against the disease.

On Friday, the DOH said there are already 861 confirmed cases in the Philippines.

The health department has declared a low-level community outbreak in Metro Manila, where dozens of schools have suspended classes due to confirmed cases of A (H1N1).

At least 54 schools have been affected by the spreading virus.

Hog raisers hurting

Remonde said Mrs. Arroyo has also ordered Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to extend help to hog raisers who have been affected due to “baseless fears about the alleged unsafe pork.”

Sales of pork in the country started to drop after the new influenza virus’ outbreak in the United States and Mexico.

The new influenza virus was earlier nicknamed “swine flu,” which has been corrected by the WHO and the DOH.

“The DA should inform consumers that there is no swine flu infestation of local hog farms. Local pork is safe to eat,” Remonde said

Remonde said there is no report of local swine flu infestation from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC).

The press secretary said Yap has been told by the President to assure that hog farms will stay safe from the new virus.