As Influenza A (H1N1) - Swine Flu - virus arrives in Asia
ANGARA ON INFLUENZA A (H1N1): FILIPINOS NEED NOT PANIC, ASKS GOV'T TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTIONS

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today advised Filipinos not to panic and seeks government actions in response to the global health crisis, this is after two cases of Influenza A (H1N1) - popularly known as the Swine Flu virus - was confirmed in two Asian countries.

"Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the Influenza A (H1N1) - swine flu - alert level, elevating it to one notch below a full-scale pandemic. The WHO made this warning as new cases of the flu mounted and claimed its first American victim in Texas," said Angara who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance.

He added, "With higher threat levels and sustained outbreaks in the United States, Mexico, Europe, Israel and New Zealand, the WHO stressed that influenza pandemics should be taken seriously because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world."

Angara cited that the heightened alert calls on all countries to activate an emergency response plan, to spur pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the production of antiviral drugs and development of a vaccine, and to urge aid institutions to help poor countries afford measures to fight the virus.

According to published reports, two confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) was recorded in two Asian countries: South Korea and Hong Kong. Presently, there are no recorded cases of the dreaded flu in the Philippines.

He also suggested, as the world is probably on the verge of a pandemic, that the Philippines must review its preparedness. The senator, a former Agriculture secretary, said that the country has shown its capacity to deal with a health crisis during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, where the Philippines adequately coped with the epidemic and was saved from the deadly virus.

Already, the country has in place a crisis management template for swine flu and Angara said that we just need to reactivate it. Presented with a pandemic scenario, it is important for government to come out with regular and frequent bulletins on what to do to avoid contracting the illness, said Angara.

"In these types of situation, timing is critical in issuing health advisories and making sure that the public is properly informed. We must respond with speed and efficiency to prevent panic and save both people and businesses," he added.