The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh encouraged Filipinos to report suspected cases of A(H1N1) after at least three Philippine schools were found to be infected with the virus.

“The more the itinatago natin ito the more na mapo-postpone ang panganib na hindi natin alam na tayo ay nakakahawa na pala,” said Romulo Victor Israel Jr., charge d’ affair of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

Although, there were confirmed cases of A(H1N1) in some Philippine schools Israel could not confirm a report in the newspapers that stated 32 Filipino school children have been infected with the virus.

“Mayroon tayong confirmed cases but as to exactly how many ay hindi pa natin ma-confirm pa as of now. Yung 32 na sinasabi sa report ay hindi naman tinukoy na lahat ito ay mga Pilipino although galing sa mga international schools. Sa pagkaka-alam namin ay isang paaralan ang nagkaroon na ng ganitong kaso at parang mayroon pang dalawa na maaring nagkaroon na din ng ganitong problema,” Israel said.

ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau correspondent Roland Blanco reported that there are 13 Philippine schools in Riyadh.

Three of the schools with confirmed cases of the virus are still close. Another school meanwhile resumed classes but only after disinfecting the entire facilities.

“I commend, salute yung mga kababayan natin na coming out in the open na nagpapatingin kaagad at hindi po nila tinatanggi ang ganitong kaso. Even among schools na gumawa po ng kanilang hakbang to suspend their classes,” Israel said. With Balitang Middle East