Pregnant ‘swine flu’ victim recovers

• 6 private schools defer class opening

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol –

The 33-year old pregnant woman who tested positive of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus is now into full recovery, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Region 7.

Renan Cimafranca, of the DOH-7 Regional Epidemiology Services Unit (RESU) bared that result of the second swab sample taken from the woman rendered negative.

The second test was taken from the 2-month pregnant woman last June 4, the same day the Regional Institute of Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City confirmed she was afflicted with the A(H1N1) virus based on the first swab sample taken on May 28.

But due to her pregnancy, the DOH-7 advised the woman to still look after her health and continue her self-quarantine at her residence for the next few days.

Cimafranca said health officials are still monitoring the persons who came into contact with the woman since May 23 up to June 4.

“Based on our tracing so far, nobody has exhibited symptoms of flu or developed influenza-like illness,” he said.

The monitoring of those who came into contact with the woman will be done for a period of 10 days, Cimafranca said. Those who had contact with her on June 4 will be monitored until June 14, he added.

“There is no problem right now and we are in constant communication with the woman and her family to monitor their condition,” Cimafranca assured.

Cimafranca said that while they were not able to give antiviral medication to the woman, since she is in the first trimester of pregnancy, her condition kept improving the past days.

The woman arrived in Bohol from California last May 23 but developed flu symptoms two days later and decided to seek medical treatment.

Showing signs of recovery from fever, the woman was discharged from the hospital even before the DOH could confirm that she is stricken with the dreaded A(H1N1) virus. The confirmation came eight days after the swab sample was taken by a team from the DOH regional office (May 28).

“Their response was so delayed and I had to wait several days for the confirmatory results,” she said.

She said regional health officials were the ones who gave her clearance to leave the hospital on May 25.

The release of the woman from the hospital have been the subject of complaints by the public here as she was the first confirmed Influenza A(H1N1) case in the province.

Meanwhile, at least six private schools here have moved their opening of classes to June 15 due to the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

In separate advisories released to the media Monday morning, the officials of Bohol Wisdom School, Holy Name University, University of Bohol, Bohol Institute of Technology, VDT Learning Center and Holy Spirit School said they postponed the opening of classes as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the dreaded virus in the school’s campuses.

All personnel and enrolled students in these schools were advised of the deferment of class opening through radio announcements.

On the other hand, during Holy Masses yesterday, the Catholic clergy here announced that in order to prevent the spread of the A(H1N1) virus, the faithful could only receive communion by the hand while holding of hands during the praying of “Our Father” should not be done in the meantime.