Press Release
June 12, 2009

Gordon urges public to be involved in averting
further spread of A(H1N1) virus

With the World Health Organization declaring a flu pandemic, Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) today called on the public to be involved and help prevent the further spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), said that with the help of everyone in the community, the country will be able to overcome the disease despite the WHO's declaration of a flu pandemic.

"While the declaration of a flu pandemic is no cause for panic, we must all take precautionary measures and help prevent the disease from affecting more people in our communities," he said.

Last Thursday, the WHO declared a flu pandemic as the number of reported A(H1N1) infections reached 27,737 in 74 countries, including 141 deaths. But WHO officials said the declaration should not be a cause for panic and did not mean that the death toll from the disease would sharply increase.

In the Philippines, figures from the Department of Health, as of June 11, showed that there are 92 cases of A(H1N1), 32 of which have already recovered.

Gordon said that the PNRC has already tapped its network of 143 volunteers to help avert the further spread of the virus.

"We have mobilized our Red Cross 143 volunteers around the country to help in the early detection, control and prevention of the possible spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus," he said.

"At the same time, we advise the public to take extra health precautions to avoid getting the virus. We must observe proper hygiene, respiratory etiquette, social distancing and maintenance of a healthy body to prevent acquiring diseases," he added.

Red Cross 143 is a network of 44 volunteers (1 team leader, 43 members) in every barangay who are trained in disaster preparedness and response, health and welfare and voluntary blood donation advocacy, among others.

With a tested reporting system, Red Cross 143 volunteers may use their mobile phone in informing the PNRC Operations Center on possible infection of the flu-like virus as well as in promoting proper steps and methods of countering it.

Gordon said that recently, after receiving a request for assistance through a text message, the PNRC promptly transported a patient who has A(H1N1) flu from Olongapo to Manila for testing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

For some years now, the PNRC has been using mobile technology as early warning system, reaction system, and initial life-saving system during emergency situations. It is also used to give aid to victims of disasters and calamities and to carry out other humanitarian works.

Through the Red Cross 143, the PNRC promptly extended aid to the landslide victims in Barangay Guingsaugon, Southern Leyte in 2006. A resident of the area sought assistance from Gordon, who was in Geneva, Switzerland at that time, through a text message.

Gordon said the use of mobile technology has turned the PNRC into a donor society. It has enabled the organization to raise funds and donate to victims of disasters in other parts of the world, including the victims of the tsunami that affected countries in Southeast Asia, the Hurricane Katrina, and the strong earthquake that hit China.

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