Supreme Court E-Library
Information At Your Fingertips


  View printer friendly version

(NAR) VOL. 20 NO.2 / APRIL - JUNE 2009

[ POEA ADVISORY NO. 03, S. OF 2009, May 04, 2009 ]

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST MEXICAN SWINE FLU



In view of the reported rapid spread of the deadly Mexican swine flu to the United States, Canada, New Zealand and other countries, which is being feared to develop into a global outbreak, this Advisory forewarns all outbound Filipino workers to take precautionary measures to prevent being contaminated of the virus.

The swine flu virus which was discovered in Mexico is a novel strain having an unusual combination of genetic material from pigs, birds and humans which have reassorted and caused the development of the current human H1N1 influenza virus. There is no known vaccine specific for the said virus.

Although the Philippine has remained swine flu virus-free, outbound Filipino workers are advised to consider the following precautionary measures:

1. bring several facial masks and to religiously use these masks during travel;
2. refrain from any contact with sick or contaminated person;
3. refrain from any body contact such as embracing or check to cheek;
4. regularly wash hands with anti-bacterial soap and water;
5. have alcohol or alcohol-based cleansers handy;
6. immediately report any unusual case of flu or symptoms affecting a colleague/co- worker at the jobsite to the management or available medical health officer.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque issued a call for the OFW community to take precautionary measures after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase four to phase five because of the capacity of the virus to spread rapidly.

The Labor Chief said that the Department of Labor and Employment has launched massive information drive on H1N1 virus with Filipino Workers locally and abroad.

The accredited medical clinics conducting pre-medical examinations for OFWs are also tasked to aggressively assist in the info campaign.

OFWs are further advised to report any such case to the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Offices or Consulate that have been tasked to closely monitor and immediately report any incident involving OFWs in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

For information and guidance.

Adopted: 04 May 2009

(SGD.) JENNIFER JARDIN-MANALILI
Administrator

© Supreme Court E-Library 2019
This website was designed and developed, and is maintained, by the E-Library Technical Staff in collaboration with the Management Information Systems Office.