More pupils hit by flu-like symptoms

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) making an upward revision of Tuesday's figures said yesterday that about 2,212 students have been affected by flu-like symptoms from September 1 to October 2.

Another 1,000 children from about 11 schools were affected by the flu, the NDCC added.

The new schools on the list are – Pasig Catholic School, Don Bosco in Makati, San Agustin in Makati, St. Jude, in Manila, near the presidential palace, Claret School, in suburban UP Village, Dominican School in Quezon City, and St. Bridget in suburban Quezon City.

The health department sent epidemiologists to the affected schools to find out the real source of the epidemic.

The NDCC has been pursuing investigations including collection of blood samples and throat swabs from the students who suffered a rash of flu like symptoms.

"The incident had triggered psychosomatic reactions from other students after they learned that several students had got sick," noted the NDCC report.

"The possibility of a biological agent released into the air or water supply is unlikely," clarified the health department.

"Reactions from school authorities like cancellation of classes further fuelled the fear that something unusual was going on," noted the NDCC.

However, unconfirmed reports said the virus has also affected children in public schools in Manila and suburban Quezon City. NInety-four students of the University of the Philippines (UP) Integrated School in Quezon City were affected by the influenza virus.

School administrators are now conducting a head count of the affected students at the Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) high school and College, Rizal High School, General Santos High School and Pasig City High School.

The education department still refused to order a massive clean up or fumigation of public elementary and high schools, saying that this would would only aggravate mass hysteria.

"Fear is the one that infects. There is no reason to be alarmed, the situation is still normal," said education secretary Raul Roco.

But the high school department of UP suspected the disease was caused by dirty water and ordered a massive clean up of the pipes inside the school premises.