OFW from China dies from suspected case of bird flu –report

An overseas Filipino worker who returned to the country after working for six years in China died last Feb. 14 from a suspected case of bird flu, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

The OFW came home last Feb. 9 and complained of coughs, fever and stomach pain on Feb. 10, radio dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa reported, citing DOH information.

While the OFW consulted doctors on Feb. 11, his condition grew worse and the OFW died Feb. 14.

A separate report on "24 Oras" said the OFW — described as 52 years old and a musician — did not have fever when he passed through thermal scanners at the airport when he arrived.

The TV report also said that the OFW again consulted doctors on February 12 but refused to be confined. He reportedly underwent three x-ray and biopsy examinations.

"Dahil sa mga ipinakitang sintomas kasabay ang mabilis na progression ng karamdaman, plus the history of travel from China, coupled with the history of being exposed to live poultry, the patient was considered as a possible case of Avian flu or bird flu," said acting DOH Secretary Janette Garin.

The OFW has been cremated and his case has been declared closed, the dzBB report added.


"If indeed this patient contracted bird flu, his death has ended other possibility of transmission," Garin said.

The "24 Oras" quoted Garin as saying that the Philippines remains bird flu-free, although she appealed to returning Filipinos, especially those coming from Hong Kong and China, to be honest about their health condition when arriving in the Philippines.

"Nananawagan po ulit kami, please fill up truthfully the health declaration checklist upon arrival. Yung yellow paper po. Kung merong sintomas na nararamdaman, lalo na habang bumibiyahe, agad ipagbigay alam sa mga staff natin sa Bureau of Quarantine. Volunteer your travel history to your physician," she said.

Meanwhile, the dzBB report said experts from Hong Kong have arrived to guide Philippine health authorities on handling bird flu cases. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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