Philippines. 19 June 2009. First officially declared A (H1N1) or swine flu Virus related death.
A woman died of heart-related problem and other complications. Prompted by her hospital records having flu symptoms prior to her death, an autopsy was performed confirming it was an A (H1N1) or swine flu Virus infection. She was not in the official list of the 445 cases of swine flu in the country. Health officials are currently studying her case, particularly, since she had complicated health problems and had been on self-medication prior to death. No further details were publicly provided. (Evening news today, reported, the fatality is an employee of the House of Reresentatives, which suspended work and “vaccinated” (?) most employees).
So, the Philippines is not spared of death case related to the A (H1N1) virus or swine flu.
Several schools and universities had been re-scheduling the opening of classes for a month now since the A (H1N1) virus or swine flu scare. Enterprising pinoys have taken advantage and taking leaps to a big, and most possibly, a long ride faster than the spread of the virus. Makeshift cloth face masks marketed as cheaper-recycables-washables overtake the supply of health-accredited-face-masks despite the warnings of health officials that they are not a reliable defense to the fangs of the virus and could instead propel the grasps of the virus.
Hmmmm…. well … but the B, C, D (E, F, G) market can only do so much … had there been a vaccine for the virus, i doubt the poor can afford or will buy one … food will be a priority … if infected, they can only wish a manna from the gods and rely on their faux medicine box of face-towel with bland-soup and hot coffee … all-in-one-against-any-disease. And if lucky enough, it would be a tablet of paracetamol today and a hope for another tablet the next day. That is life …
But I am always amazed of how the kids we call less fortunate can usually outgrow the elements of nature. I can only hope that they could with this new A (H1N1) virus or swine flu.
