PRESS Secretary Cerge Remonde on Friday assured the public that despite the continued increase in influenza A (H1N1) cases in the country, the flu virus remains mild and curable.

Remonde made the assurance after the Philippines was ranked 7th among the countries with high cases of A (H1N1).

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The Philippines’ high cases of A (H1N1), according to Remonde, was due to the aggressive monitoring, contact tracing, and transparency in reporting the cases in public.

He said there is no reason to be extremely alarmed adding that in some countries, they rarely give an accurate report of the flu situation.

He stressed that unlike in other countries, including those with fewer A (H1N1) cases, the Philippines also has only one fatality.

“We should not be penalized for being aggressive in monitoring the cases, for being transparent in reporting cases after all our policy helped us as it made the public aware of public health,” Remonde said.

More than 1,000 A (H1N1) cases have already been reported in the Philippines since the flu broke out in May.

On proposals to declare a national health emergency, Remonde said it should be carefully studied especially its impact on tourism and investments. (JMR/Sunnex)