A DoH official said the family of the 38-year-old seaman infected by the virus and their neighbors at Brgy. Dungon-B, Jaro should not be discriminated.

Dr. Jessie Glen Alonsabe, DoH regional epidemiologist, also asked the media to be prudent in reporting the first A(H1N1) case in the city, particularly in taking images and footages of the seaman’s house and family.

“There might be discrimination towards the family or they might be ostracized by the public. The barangay might also be affected because residents from other areas might not pass by Dungon-B and divert to other areas. Instead of passing by Diversion Road, all motorists will pass by Ungka and CPU area. That would cause a major traffic jam,” Alonsabe said.

Brgy. Dungon-B leads towards Benigno S. Aquino Avenue or Diversion Road which connects Jaro to Molo and Iloilo City proper districts.

Alonsabe said other people have the tendency to overreact just like what happened to residents of a farming village in Jaen, Nueva Ecija where the first community outbreak of A(H1N1) flu was declared.

“This could happen anywhere and to anyone of us. We really don’t know when or where, as of now we only detected one person in that area. All we have to do is observe precautionary measures such as proper and regular washing of hands, cough and sneezing etiquettes and taking vitamins that will protect us from infections,” he added.

The DoH and Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) also advised the public to seek medical help if they suffer from flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, who is on home quarantine after returning from Boston, Massachusetts in USA, said there is no need to panic after the confirmation of the first A(H1N1) patient in the city.

“We have prepared for this already by informing the public about the precautionary measures and responses. The flu that hit the country and the city is mild and curable,” Treñas said.

Latest report from the DoH said the patient is now recovering after taking medications at the Western Visayas Medical Center.

The family of the patient is also under observation, the DoH said.

AS USUAL

Life is as usual for residents of Dungon-B despite the report that one of their neighbors contracted the A(H1N1) flu.   

Barangay officials said they informed their residents about proper hygienic practices to protect themselves from the virus.

Residents who had close contact with the patient were also advised to undergo home quarantine for at least 10 days for observation.

Punong Barangay Apolinario Dadison Jr. said they are not alarmed by the positive A(H1N1) case in their village.

“We regularly coordinate with the CHO and the DoH and we follow their advisories. Life remains normal for us here,” Dadison said.

Dr. Urminico Baronda, city health officer, lauded the media for continually informing the public on A(H1N1) advisories from the DoH and the CHO.

“The continued information drive will help the people prevent the spread of the virus and respond if they show flu-like symptoms. The rapid increase in the number of cases under observation for A(H1N1) is an indication that the public is very cautious about the situation,” Baronda said.

FIRST CASE IN CAPIZ

Capiz provincial health officer Jarvis Ponzalan confirmed yesterday that a 38-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was infected with A(H1N1) virus.

Ponzalan said the report from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) showed that the patient’s throat swab tested positive for A(H1N1) virus.

The OFW arrived from Singapore June 6 and showed flu-like symptoms June 9. The patient’s relatives brought the OFW to the Rural Health Unit and was later referred to the hospital.

The first confirmed A(H1N1) case recorded in the region was a student from La Salle University who went home to Bacolod City before her throat swab result came out.

Two more children in Bacolod City also tested positive for A(H1N1) flu while the 38-year-old seaman is the first confirmed case in Iloilo City.