RP posts adopting proactive measures vs A-H1N1
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine embassies and consulates abroad have adopted a proactive stance to protect Filipinos from the A-H1N1 (swine flu), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.
"In places where the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed cases of A/H1N1, Philippine posts have issued advisories to Filipino communities to take precautionary actions. Posts have also set up hotlines for Filipinos who have concerns or questions on A/H1N1," the department said on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph).
In New York, the Philippine Consulate General disseminated the advisory by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene entitled, “Swine Influenza: What New Yorkers Need To Know" to the Filipino Community.
There are over 280,000 Filipinos living and working in New York.
As of May 6, the WHO said there are 403 laboratory confirmed human cases in the United States.
“Filipino-Americans are encouraged to constantly monitor the news about the incidence of swine flu within and outside their areas, and stay vigilant for any possible threats to their health," Consul General Cecilia Rebong said.
In Canada, Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera said the more than 330,000 Filipinos there are still safe from swine flu.
“So far, there is no report of any Filipino in this consular jurisdiction among the confirmed cases," he said. There are 165 human cases of the said flu in Canada.
In Barcelona, Spain, the Philippine Consulate there announced a hotline (628 472 866) which Filipinos could contact in case they have any information or questions on A/H1N1.
It also issued an advisory to the Filipino community. There are 57 confirmed cases of the A/H1N1 strain in Spain.
Philippine Ambassador to London Edgardo Espiritu personally appeared on Filipino cable television to emphasize the need for the Filipinos in the United Kingdom to take precautionary measures.
In Berne, Switzerland, the Philippine Embassy has scheduled a meeting with officials of Roche Pharmaceuticals to discuss the effectiveness of Tamiflu and Relenza in combating A/H1N1.
The two drugs are said to be the cure for the flu strain.
But Ambassador Maria Theresa Lazaro said there have been resistance fears raised about Tamiflu in Switzerland. The meeting was set for May 19.
In Hong Kong, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.’s (PLDT) SMART 1528 and Vodafone Smartone’s Barkadahan sa Smartone agreed to the Philippine Consulate’s request for them to issue regular SMS (text) broadcasts to remind the Filipino community to take precautionary measures.
There are three Filipinos quarantined at the Metropark Hotel in Wanchai, Hong Kong. They are in good condition and will be released Friday.
Consul General Claro Cristobal said HKSARG requested post to review the Filipino version of a pamphlet on A/H1N1.
“Post made revisions and submitted the enclosed pamphlet to the government," he said.
In Dili, Philippine authorities are coordinating with Filipino United Nations volunteer physicians who are detailed at the Guido Valadres National Hospital there.
“Should any suspected case be reported, particularly if a Filipino is involved, Post would immediately be informed," ad interim Charge d’Affaires Ariz Severino Convalecer said.
He added that the post’s warden system, which was established following the 2006 crisis, has been reactived.
The warden system consists of community leaders who are long-time residents of Timor-Leste and could assist the Embassy in the execution of its contingency plan for crisis situations.
The wardens were also tapped to disseminate advisories and other useful information to the Filipino community.
Also, the Embassy maintains close contact with the WHO, the UN Population Fund and the International Committee of the Red Cross which have offices in Dili.
In Shanghai, the Philippine Consulate General issued a swine flu advisory to the Filipinos there as well as in the provinces it covers.
“Post will closely monitor updates regarding the outbreak in order to issue warnings if necessary," Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez said. - GMANews.TV
"In places where the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed cases of A/H1N1, Philippine posts have issued advisories to Filipino communities to take precautionary actions. Posts have also set up hotlines for Filipinos who have concerns or questions on A/H1N1," the department said on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph).
In New York, the Philippine Consulate General disseminated the advisory by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene entitled, “Swine Influenza: What New Yorkers Need To Know" to the Filipino Community.
There are over 280,000 Filipinos living and working in New York.
As of May 6, the WHO said there are 403 laboratory confirmed human cases in the United States.
“Filipino-Americans are encouraged to constantly monitor the news about the incidence of swine flu within and outside their areas, and stay vigilant for any possible threats to their health," Consul General Cecilia Rebong said.
In Canada, Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera said the more than 330,000 Filipinos there are still safe from swine flu.
“So far, there is no report of any Filipino in this consular jurisdiction among the confirmed cases," he said. There are 165 human cases of the said flu in Canada.
In Barcelona, Spain, the Philippine Consulate there announced a hotline (628 472 866) which Filipinos could contact in case they have any information or questions on A/H1N1.
It also issued an advisory to the Filipino community. There are 57 confirmed cases of the A/H1N1 strain in Spain.
Philippine Ambassador to London Edgardo Espiritu personally appeared on Filipino cable television to emphasize the need for the Filipinos in the United Kingdom to take precautionary measures.
In Berne, Switzerland, the Philippine Embassy has scheduled a meeting with officials of Roche Pharmaceuticals to discuss the effectiveness of Tamiflu and Relenza in combating A/H1N1.
The two drugs are said to be the cure for the flu strain.
But Ambassador Maria Theresa Lazaro said there have been resistance fears raised about Tamiflu in Switzerland. The meeting was set for May 19.
In Hong Kong, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.’s (PLDT) SMART 1528 and Vodafone Smartone’s Barkadahan sa Smartone agreed to the Philippine Consulate’s request for them to issue regular SMS (text) broadcasts to remind the Filipino community to take precautionary measures.
There are three Filipinos quarantined at the Metropark Hotel in Wanchai, Hong Kong. They are in good condition and will be released Friday.
Consul General Claro Cristobal said HKSARG requested post to review the Filipino version of a pamphlet on A/H1N1.
“Post made revisions and submitted the enclosed pamphlet to the government," he said.
In Dili, Philippine authorities are coordinating with Filipino United Nations volunteer physicians who are detailed at the Guido Valadres National Hospital there.
“Should any suspected case be reported, particularly if a Filipino is involved, Post would immediately be informed," ad interim Charge d’Affaires Ariz Severino Convalecer said.
He added that the post’s warden system, which was established following the 2006 crisis, has been reactived.
The warden system consists of community leaders who are long-time residents of Timor-Leste and could assist the Embassy in the execution of its contingency plan for crisis situations.
The wardens were also tapped to disseminate advisories and other useful information to the Filipino community.
Also, the Embassy maintains close contact with the WHO, the UN Population Fund and the International Committee of the Red Cross which have offices in Dili.
In Shanghai, the Philippine Consulate General issued a swine flu advisory to the Filipinos there as well as in the provinces it covers.
“Post will closely monitor updates regarding the outbreak in order to issue warnings if necessary," Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez said. - GMANews.TV
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