WV posts 55 confirmed A/H1N1 cases

ILOILO CITY – The province and city of Iloilo remain as sentinel sites for A/H1N1 with 22 and 18 confirmed cases respectively.

This was confirmed by the Center for Health Development regional office of the Department of Health after results from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) covering the period May 18 to July 25, 2009 showed a total of 55 laboratory confirmed cases.

Out of 55 confirmed cases, 51 are Filipinos with 29 patients having history of travel outside the country while the remaining cases are close contacts of confirmed cases.

The number of cases aside from the city and province of Iloilo are 1 in Kalibo, 1 in Antique, 5 in Capiz, 10 in Roxas City, 1 in Negros Occidental, 12 in Bacolod City, 1 in Bago City and 1 in Talisay City.

Health Reg. Dir. Ariel Valencia said that of the cases with travel from affected countries, 12 cases came from United States with the most of cases from Iloilo and Bacolod City.

The DOH said the most common signs and symptoms manifested by the cases are fever and cough. This is also accompanied by sore throat and nasal congestion.

Other symptoms are muscle ache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

By Lydia C. Pendon