Overseas Pinoys urged to follow precautionary measures vs. H1N1 flu

MANILA, Philippines - As the first case of the dreaded H1N1 (swine flu) was confirmed to have finally reached Asia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) asked Filipinos abroad to take “personal responsibility" for their own safety. “Kung pwedeng hindi kayo pumunta sa mga areas na maraming tao [If you don’t need to go to crowded areas], don’t do that," DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos, Jr. said in an interview aired over dzBB. He said Philippine overseas posts have already issued reminders or warnings from the Department of Health to Filipinos within their respective jurisdictions. “Napaabot na ‘yun. [The reminders have already reached them] As early as last week the DOH has already issued the regulations," he said. But in the event that they do catch the disease, Conejos said they must immediately report to local authorities and to the Philippine Embassy – which he said is monitoring the situation of Filipinos in host countries. “Automatic ‘yan sa ating mga Embassy, maa-activate na ang crisis management aid nila [That’s automatic in the Embassy, the crisis management aid will be activated] to respond to any crisis, including this health crisis," he said In addition, Conejos advised Filipinos abroad to immediately report if they have any information on other suspected cases. “Report to the embassy any incident of flu sa inyo [with you]," he said. After reporting a case, Conejos said Filipinos must comply with the orders or directives of the local health authorities of the host country. “Kung ano ang sasabihin nila dapat susundin ninyo [You should follow what they tell you]," he said. Over the weekend, the governments of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and South Korea confirmed the first cases of A/H1N1 in Asia. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV