RP nurses, caregivers most vulnerable to 'swine flu'

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino health care workers abroad are the most vulnerable to the dreaded A(H1N1) or swine flu virus, the Philippine Embassy in London said.

“The Embassy noted that the nurses and caregivers are among the most vulnerable to possible infection as they are exposed to the virus and their resistance levels may not be strong because of long work hours. They need to take care of themselves as they take care of others," Ambassador Edgardo B. Espiritu said Tuesday.

He said the Philippine Nurses Association of UK – the largest organization of Filipino nurses in the United Kingdom – has already helped them disseminate this advisory and other local government reminders regarding the A(H1N1) outbreak.

The embassy also advised Filipinos in the United Kingdom and Ireland to take precautionary measures in light of reported cases of A(H1N1) in the both countries.

The World Health Organization has reported 18 cases of A(H1N1) in the Britain and one in Ireland. There are more than 200,000 Filipinos in the UK and 12,000 in Ireland.

The embassy instructed the Philippine honorary consulates under its jurisdiction to closely monitor and report suspected and confirmed swine flu cases involving Filipino nationals.

Filipinos who have concerns regarding the A(H1N1) outbreak may call the embassy hotline at 07802790695. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV