Manila - The number of confirmed swine flu infections in the Philippines reached 147 since the first case was reported three weeks ago, the health department said Sunday. Despite the spread of the disease in the country, which has the highest number of cases in South-East Asia, health authorities urged the public not to panic and take unnecessary medication.
"We have not detected any serious community level outbreak," said Eric Tayag, chief epidemiologist at the Department of Health.
Tayag reminded citizens to observe good personal hygiene and to boost their immune systems to protect themselves from the swine flu virus.
He warned against self-medicating, amid reports that some people were already taking anti-flu drugs to avoid infection.
Tayag also stressed that the health department was not yet recommending the general use of face-masks in crowded places.
"Those who have cough, runny rose, fever or sore throat, if they go outside, they should wear masks, but not the general public at this time," he said.
The World Health Organization has declared swine flu a pandemic after 74 countries reported nearly 30,000 cases, with 145 deaths since April.
