MANILA, 26 June 2009, 1600 hrs—As case numbers of Pandemic H1N1 2009 continued to climb in the Philippines, health authorities in that country urged people with pre-existing medical conditions to consult their doctor immediately if they show flu symptoms.
Philippines Health Secretary Dr Francisco T. Duque said though the virus did not cause severe illness in most people, those with underlying health problems should not wait for flu-like symptoms to worsen as they were more prone to infections. Globally, many of those who have become seriously ill or died from the virus have had underlying health issues.
"It is prudent for parents to seek professional care for children with rapid breathing, excessive drowsiness or dehydration," the Secretary said. "In adults, chest pain, prolonged fever or laboured breathing should prompt warnings to see a doctor." The Philippines reported 17 new infections to take its total caseload to 445.
Case numbers increased in Australia by 286, as that country's Chief Medical Officer Professor, Dr Jim Bishop said that the new "protect" phase of health management for the virus was focused on caring for the most at risk, including indigenous Australians. "Protect" places sharper focus on caring for patients in whom the disease may be severe. There are currently 37 people in Australian hospitals with the virus, 15 of them in intensive care units.
In Hong Kong (China) 62 new infections were identified as health authorities advised five secondary schools to start a summer break from today after the discovery of five confirmed cases among students. On China's mainland, 42 new cases were identified.
Japan reported 56 new infections to take its count beyond 1000. Half of Japan's total cases are teenagers, reflecting the school-related nature of that country's initial outbreaks. Cambodia confirmed four new cases, three of them students from the United States of America who came to Cambodia on 19 June on a school trip. In the Republic of Korea an additional 27 cases were reported, while seven new cases were identified in Viet Nam.
The number of confirmed cases of Pandemic H1N1 2009 reported in the Western Pacific Region stands at 6811 in 19 countries and areas. There have been four deaths associated with Pandemic H1N1 2009 in the Region, which are indicated in brackets beside the case numbers below.
- Australia 3280 (3)
- Brunei Darussalam 11
- Cambodia 5
- China 570
- Hong Kong (China) 506
- Macao (China) 13
- Taiwan (China) 61
- Fiji 2
- Japan 1001
- Lao People's Democratic Republic 3
- Malaysia 68
- New Zealand 417
- Papua New Guinea 1
- Philippines 445 (1)
- Republic of Korea 142
- Samoa 1
- Singapore 220
- Vanuatu 2
- Viet Nam 63
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