The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are reminding all Filipinos working and living overseas to protect themselves against the threat of the influenza H1N1 (swine flu) virus. The DFA issued the reminder when the first case of a swine flu infection was confirmed in Asia, saying that Filipinos abroad should be responsible for their own safety by taking precautionary measures.  

The first case of the swine flu in Asia was reported by the governments of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and South Korea.

In an interview aired over dzBB, the DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos, Jr. said, “Kung pwedeng hindi kayo pumunta sa mga areas na maraming tao [If you don’t need to go to crowded areas], don’t do that."

Conejos also informed that the Department of Health (DOH) has already issued regulations regarding the swine flu virus to Philippine overseas posts.

He said that Philippine embassies in various countries are closely monitoring the condition of Filipinos in their respective areas. So if an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) or migrant catch the disease, they are advised to report it to the Philippine consulate or local authorities right away.

Conejos said, “Automatic ‘yan sa ating mga Embassy, maa-activate na ang crisis management aid nila [That’s automatic in the Embassy, the crisis management aid will be activated] to respond to any crisis, including this health crisis."

Reporting it immediately to proper authorities is also what one must do if they have information about others suspected of having swine flu. Then they should obey whatever it is that the local health authorities of the host country would say.

“Report to the embassy any incident of flu sa inyo [with you]. Kung ano ang sasabihin nila dapat susundin ninyo [You should follow what they tell you]," he said.