RP's first H1N1 case confirmed

Friday, 22 May 2009 09:47 Amor Serillano

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, who is currently at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, announced on Thursday evening via teleconference the first confirmed case of influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines.

According to ABS-CBNnews.com, Duque said that a ten-year-old girl who came from a trip to the United States and Canada with her parents last May 18 tested positive for the H1N1 virus. No symptoms were detected upon the girl's arrival at the airport. The next day, she was rushed to the hospital with fever, cough, and sore throat.

He said that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) got hold of tissue samples from the patient last May 20, and confirmed Thursday that she tested positive for the virus.

DOH assured that there “is no community level outbreak” but warned the public to stay vigilant, reported GMAnews.tv.