Press Release
May 25, 2009

To prevent the spread of H1N1:
Angara calls on Dep Ed to postpone the start of classes

With two confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza virus in the Philippines, Senator Edgardo Angara today called on the Department of Education to postpone the start of classes to prevent the spread of the virus in the country.

"We've got to prevent the spread of H1N1 virus in the country, starting from the most vulnerable in our population, our children," Senator Angara said.

According to Senator Angara, who has chaired both Senate Committees on Education and Health in the past, studies show that flu viruses circulate all year round in tropical and subtropical areas, unlike in countries with a temperate climate, where flu is prevalent only in winter.

"Our tropical climate allows flu viruses to circulate all year round. Coupled with the global mobility of our population, this makes our country a potential hotspot of the H1N1 virus," Angara said.

"H1N1 is transferred from person-to-person contact, and our cramped classrooms can serve as an excellent conductor of the virus. Before we know it many of our school children and their families could be sick with H1N1," Angara said.

"This could lead to pandemic of deadly proportions, one which we may not have the proper preparation or capacity to address," Angara warned.

Health experts have earlier warned against a possible mutation of the H1N1 virus, which could be lethal than its current form, and which could be less responsive to generic flu medicine such as Tamiflu.

"Since a vaccine against H1N1 has yet to be formulated, we've got to be more cautious in preventing the spread of the disease," Angara said.

Aside from deferring the start of classes on the first week of June, Senator Angara also recommends a stepped-up public information campaign on detecting symptoms of the H1N1 virus, and what to do should these symptoms be spotted.

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