More schools suspend classes due to A(H1N1) flu cases

MANILA, Philippines – More schools have started suspending classes as cases of the Influenza A(H1N1) infections among students continued to increase on Thursday, the Health department said. Three schools from Quezon City, San Juan City, and Mandaluyong City were the latest addition to the growing list of learning institutions with students who have contracted the flu virus. Department of Education-Metro Manila director Teresita Domalanta was quoted in a radio report as saying classes at the Alejandro Roces High School in Quezon City were suspended after one of its students tested positive for the new flu virus strain. At the Lourdes School in Mandaluyong City, elementary and high school classes on Thursday were cut short and students were sent home after one of them was also found positive for the virus. Classes will resume on June 29. Meanwhile, a third year college student from the Dominican College in San Juan City also contracted the (H1N1) virus. After suffering from cough and fever, the student was brought to the Lung Center of the Philippines and was diagnosed with the disease. The student is already recovering, but 10 other people from the school have been placed under self-quarantine. On its Web site, the Ateneo de Manila University reported that four of its college students have been infected, aside from the three high school students who were earlier downed by the flu virus. The Metro Manila schools that have so far reported confirmed A(H1N1) cases are: * De La Salle University–Taft, Manila; * College of St. Benilde, Manila; * Far Eastern University–East Asian College, Manila; * St. Andrew’s School, Parañaque City; * Ateneo de Manila University and High School, Quezon City; * Mapua Institute of Technology, Makati City; * Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College, Marikina City; * Miriam College, Quezon City; * Lagro Elementary School, Quezon City; * Lourdes School, Mandaluyong; * Dominican College, San Juan City; * Alejandro Roces High School, Quezon City; and * University of the Philippines–Diliman, Quezon City. In the provinces, the Hilera Elementary School in Jaen town in Nueva Ecija province, the Doña Candelaria Meneses Duque school in Bulacan town in the province of Bulacan, and the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas campus in Leyte have confirmed cases. At the Vedasto Santiago High School in San Miguel town also in Bulacan, 100 students and faculty members were downed with fever. However, classes were not suspended after they all tested negative for the flu virus. Tally climbs to 344 Latest DOH data showed that 344 people have contracted the disease since May 21, but 242 of them have already fully recovered. On Thursday, 33 cases were added to Wednesday’s tally of 311. With the rapid increase of A(H1N1) cases in the country, the Health department is considering the designation of more testing centers to accommodate suspected flu victims. Seven hospitals were accredited by the DOH to conduct laboratory tests on suspected flu cases. The Health department said it might tap the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu, as well as the San Lazaro Hospital and the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. The government is also negotiating with a number of private hospitals who could help speed up the process. Before leaving for Japan, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo assured the public that the government would shoulder all the hospital expenses of A(H1N1) patients. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said treating an infected person would entail expenses of up to P25,000. These include the cost of hospitalization, doctor’s fee, and the P4,000 testing kit. Like the seasonal flu virus, A(H1N1) can be transmitted at a similar rate, officials said. However, the virus has more chances of being transmitted in the household (20 per cent) than in the community (7 to 10 per cent). - Mark Merueñas and Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV