Camarines Sur/DOH Legaspi Conduct A (H1N1) Orientation

PILI, CAMSUR-The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur in collaboration with the regional office  of  the  Department  of  Health  conducted  an  orientation  seminar on  Influenza A (H1N1) Tuesday, May  19   at  Regent Hotel  to  inform  and  educate  participants  on the  salient  points  of  this  virus  which  originated in Mexico  and  now inexorably spreading to different parts of the world.

The activity was spearheaded a composite team from the DOH regional office and personnel of Camarines Sur's Provincial Health Office.

The activity  was  fully  supported  by  Governor  LRay  Villafuerte  who considers the health  of  his  constituents  among the  priorities  of  his intensified social services programs.

At  present,  almost  40  countries  have  reported  cases  of  Influenza A (H1N1), the  latest  country being Chile, according  to  Dr.  Alan  Lucanas,  City  Health  Officer  I  and  head  of  the  Infectious  Disease  Cluster  of  the  Department  of  Health  regional  office,  based  on  the  latest report  from  World  Health  Organization (WHO).  Dr.  Lucanas  also reported that  the  worst  cases of  the  Influenza A (H1N1)  in   Asia is currently in  Japan  with  125  confirmed cases.

Resource speakers of the  orientation  were  Dr.  Arnulfo  Carandang,  Medical  Specialist  IV, PHT  Leader,  Camarines  Sur  B,  and  Dr.  Alan  Lucanas.

The Influenza   A (H1N1),  according  to  Dr.  Lucanas,  is  caused  by  a  novel  virus  that  resulted  from  the  reassortment  of  four (4)  viruses  from  pigs,  humans,  and  birds.  He  also  pointed  out  that  there  is  no   vaccine  yet  to  protect  humans  from  this  virus.  But  there  are  existing  and  recommended  medicines  that  are effective  in  treating  these viruses.

Some  of  the  signs  and  symptoms  in  humans  which  are  similar  to  regular  flu  are  as  follows:  fever,  headache, fatigue, muscle, or joint pains, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat, cough, vomiting or nausea and diarrhea.

It   was  emphasized  by   the  medical  experts that we should  cover  the  nose  and  mouth  when  coughing  and  sneezing,  always  wash  hands  with  soap  and  water,  avoid  close  contact  with  sick  people,  and  increase  the  body's  resistance  to  protect  oneself  from  getting  sick.

According to Dr.  Lucanas,  the  virus  can be  transmitted  through  exposure  to  droplets  from   cough  and  sneeze  of  an infected  person.

Preparedness plans  have  been  made  during  the  afternoon  session  which  was  reported  by  Dr.  Gerardo N.  Villafuerte,  the  newly   appointed  Officer-in-Charge  of  the  Provincial  Health  Office  as  well  as  in  municipalities  spearheaded  by  the  Municipal  Health  Officers  who  attended  the  activity.  /LAGavino/AnnTuy-MMEC