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Thursday, May 01, 2003
Bukidnon balikbayan isolated for suspected Sars
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
A BALIKBAYAN from Hong Kong is now currently quarantined in her own home at Kibawe, Bukidnon for fear of having contracted the dreaded Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).
Bukidnon provincial health officer Dr. Inocente Daguhoy admitted that a woman who works in a Hong Kong private company is now being isolated and now being attended by her own family members.
He said this Wednesday night as he confessed that the Kibawe Hospital and all other hospitals and clinics in his province is not capable of handling a patient probably infected with this virus.
Daguhoy said if there the Balikbayan will be showing symptoms that she has indeed contracted the Sars virus then she will have to be brought to Cagayan de Oro city's Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) for isolation.
"Kay dinhi walay respirator, walay WHO (World Health Organization) prescribed masks ug uban pa...basin mosamot na hinoon ug kaylap so diretsoon nalang gyud namo ug dala sa Cagayan de Oro kana kung naay man gyud galing siya'y symptoms sa Sars," he said. (Here there is no repirator and no WHO prescribed masks among others...possibility is that the virus might spread more so we are left with no other option but to bring her to Cagayan de Oro city that is if she is showing some Sars symptoms.)
Three meters apart
Daguhoy who was interviewed over radio station dxIF recounted how this 40-year-old female balikbayan just arrived Sunday at their province.
But because she was from Hong Kong, one of the Sars-infested countries, they have immediately requested her to be quarantined at her own home in Kibawe, Bukidnon.
She is currently confined in her room until May 10.
This doctor said they and her relatives will be constantly monitoring this female balikbayan for the next 14 days if she is experiencing Sars-like symptoms.
"Pero ang tanan sa ilang balay ga-sulob na ug masks apil aron sigurado gyud (But everyone in their house is now wearing a mask to always be sure)," he said.
Daguhoy said everybody including her parents are not allowed to be nearer than three meters to her.
There are also no visitors allowed to enter this balikabayan's home.
He said the masks the family members of the balikbayan are using were brought in from Hong Kong.
He said the lady was responsible enough to bring some with her when she came home.
No symptoms yet
Daguhoy, who has talked recently with the Balikbayan's sister said the lady suspected to have Sars, is still doing well as she is not experiencing any symptoms of the dreaded virus.
"Pero pananglit naa siya'y dry cough or fever dad-on gyud ni namo dayon sa Cagayan de Oro city...adto na ayuhon ug tanawon," he said. (But if she experiences dry cough or has fever we will immediately bring her to Cagayan de Oro city...there she will be checked and allowed to heal.)
He added that once the first seven days are over there the lesser probability that she is infected with Sars.
Daguhoy recommended that all health offices will intensify all its efforts in conducting information drive regarding SARS to prepare the people and calm them down.
He also publicly asked everyone to always report to the nearest health official whoever they know who is experiencing Sars-like symptoms and has come from abroad.
(May 1, 2003 issue)
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