A (H1N1) update: Cases soar to 34 but nothing to worry—CHO
Cases of human influenza or A(H1N1) in Zamboanga City increased to 34 as of Friday, July 31 but people need not worry for as long as they continue practicing good health habits, City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos yesterday reported.
Agbulos said the 3 additional cases were confirmed Friday afternoon (July 31) by the Department of Health (DOH) based on results of tests on swab samples sent to the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) based in Manila.
The three latest cases involved students from private schools.
“But again we say there is nothing to panic, this is just an ordinary flu what is important is for the people to improve resistance and practice personal hygiene”, Dr. Agbulos reiterated.
The CHO continuously pursues its information dissemination drive to make people aware on the measures on how to prevent and control the spread of the A(H1N1) virus.
Several other results on swab tests are pending with the RITM, according to the health official.
A(H1N1) symptoms are similar to that of regular flu and these include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint paints, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat, cough, vomiting or nausea and diarrhea. The mode of transmission of the virus is by exposure to droplets from the cough and sneeze of the infected persons.
Prevention measures are the following: cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, wash hands with soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, avoid close contact with sick people, increase body’s resistance, have at least 8 hours of sleep, by physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
Meanwhile, Agbulos said the CHO has also stepped up measures to prevent and control the spread of hemorrhagic dengue fever, a mosquito borne disease, following the increase in the number of cases the past few weeks.
The City health officer said dengue is much more dangerous than the A(H1N1) virus, but stressed the same can be prevented through cleanliness and sanitation. (Sheila Covarrubias)