DOH: Prepare for 2nd wave of flu

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday underscored the need to prepare for a second wave of the Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic even if the virus presently appears to be mild in nature.

Dr. Lyndon Leesuy, program manager of the DOH for emerging and re-emerging diseases, said that historically, all pandemics have had second waves that were deadlier.

“It may not happen but there is a possibility of mutation. The virus may become more virulent then,” he said in an interview.

Because of this, the DOH must review the capabilities of its 72 hospitals to admit A(H1N1) cases in the event of a second wave.

Some epidemics can run for months to years before a second wave occurs.

There were three influenza pandemics that occurred in the last century as per records of the World Health Organization. These are the1918-19 (Spanish Flu), 1957-58 (Asian Flu), and 1968-69 (Hong Kong Flu) which all led to “unimaginable levels of illness, suffering, deaths, social disruption and economic disaster.”

The Spanish flu killed up to 40 million people, while the Asian flu and the Hong Kong flu killed some one to four million.

But international health experts are more confident that the world is more ready for a pandemic today, owing to improved public health facilities and better knowledge than 40 years ago.

Leesuy said there would be no let up in the information campaign of the DOH on the virus as part of the preparation for the second wave, adding that the pandemic should serve as a wake-up call for everyone to observe their responsibility to the society and to others.

He said that while the DOH had relaxed its policy on the 10-day home quarantine for travelers coming from countries with confirmed cases of A(H1N1) with or without symptoms, they should be responsible by self monitoring.

Philstar