Philippines - DOH confirms ARI death - Bird flu suspected - Travel history to China

[Gert van der Hoek]

By Jing Castaneda, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 02/23/2015 3:59 PM


MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed a case of bird flu in the Philippines, but subsequently announced that the patient has died and has been cremated.

During a press conference held Monday, DOH announced that a 52-year-old male overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from China was suspected of having bird flu last week. Just a day after arriving in the country on February 9, the patient experienced cough, fever, and stomach pains.
He went for a consultation on Feb. 11, but his condition rapidly deteriorated.

The OFW passed away on Feb. 14 due to acute respiratory distress syndrome.

According to records, the patient was considered a possible case of avian flu, or bird flu, due to his history of travel in China and of being exposed to live poultry. The patient was tested for MERS-CoV, but tests came out negative.

Biopsy was conducted by trained personnel with the help of experts from Hong Kong. Results revealed pulmonary findings but were also deemed inconclusive.
The DOH decided to not to conduct an autopsy due to the danger of exposure to the virus.

The body was cremated, and the case was declared closed by the DOH.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-fi...h-ofw-bird-flu

 

[sharon sanders]

DOH STATEMENT ON BIRD FLU IN suspected PHL (23 February 2015) February 23, 2015

Last week, we should have people who returned from China. He's six years I worked there, felt the weakness of body and she decided to return to her desire to be with family in feel.

February 9 came the patient. February 10 was the beginning she cough, fever, and occasionally joins the tyan. February 11, consultation but worsen the situation until the unexpected has died last February 14.

Because the symptoms displayed alongside the rapid progression of the disease plus the history of travel from China coupled with a history of being exposed to live poultry, the patient was considered a possible case of Avian Flu or Bird Flu.
This patient was initially referred to as a possible case of MERS. However, upon review of his case profile, Avian Flu was a more proximate consideration.

Prophylaxis of close contacts using Tamiflu has been done. Experts from Hongkong closely monitored and guided our experts here. Biopsy was done by trained personnel protected by personal protective equipments.

Initial results revealed pulmonary but inconclusive findings. The body was cremated hence this case has been declared 'closed'.

If indeed this patient contracted bird flu, his death has ended other possibility of transmission. So I do not need to worry. But still required an intense surveillance and continue to spread the right information to our people in the country to record cases of Bird Flu or Avian Influenza.
The A (H5N1) virus subtype, a highly pathogenic AI virus, first infected humans in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong SAR, China. Since its widespread re-emergence in 2003 and 2004, this avian virus has spread from Asia to Europe and Africa and has become entrenched in poultry in some countries, resulting in millions of poultry infections, several hundred human cases, and many human deaths. Outbreaks in poultry have seriously impacted livelihoods, the economy and international trade in affected countries.


The A (H7N9) virus subtype, a low pathogenic AI virus, first infected humans 3 - 2 residents of the city of Shanghai and one resident of Anhui province - in March 2013. Containment measures, including the closure of live bird markets for several months , have impacted the agriculture sectors of affected countries and international trade. Continued surveillance for A (H7N9) will be necessary to detect and control the spread of the virus.

Ongoing circulation of A (H5N1) and A (H7N9) viruses in poultry, especially where endemic, continues to pose threats to public health, as these viruses have both the potential to cause serious disease in people and may have the potential to change into a form that is more transmissible among humans. Other influenza virus subtypes also circulate in poultry and other animals, and may also pose potential threats to public health.
With the increase in international arrivals, the Department of Health is appealing to Filipinos around the world to be mindful of their families and their communities. While the Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine, the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine are actively coordinating public health actions, the responsibility of each person is important. Please fill-up the health declaration truthfully checklist upon arrival. BOQ inform the staff if you have had symptoms while traveling. Volunteer your travel history to your physician. Effective control of infectious diseases in the Philippines require every person to do their share of responsibility by being cooperative, honest, and mindful.


"Let us play a role here," Garin concluded.

http://www.doh.gov.ph/top/node/14288.html


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