The World Health Organization (WHO) commended the Department of Health (DoH) for its efficient detection and management of the Influenza A (H1N1) and cited the satisfactory laboratory performance of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the locally-designated facility to test A (H1N1) cases.

A letter of commendation dated June 30 was sent by Dr. Shin Young-Soo, WHO Regional Director to the DoH praising the Philippine government's 'exceptional' efforts in containing and managing the novel virus that has affected 94,512 individuals and killed 429 worldwide, the latest global global update by the WHO stated.

"I would like to put on record my personal appreciation of the exceptional collaboration established between the Government of the Philippines and the World Health Organization in the fight against the Pandemic H1N1 2009. I commend your leadership and tireless efforts in responding to this emerging threat to the health of the people of the Philippines," stated the letter addressed to DoH secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

"I should add that WHO is also confident about the quality of the laboratory diagnostics carried out by the RITM and about the epidemiological activities conducted by the National Epidemiology Center (NEC)," Shin added.

Duque expressed his gratitude for WHO's letter of commendation that also praised the contact tracing procedure of the DoH that paved the way for the detection of more cases.

Previously, critics lambasted the DoH regarding its transparency on the disease that painted a scenario on an increasing number of A (H1N1) in the country. This has placed the Philippines on the list of top ten countries in Southeast Asia that have the most number of infections from the novel virus.

The nationwide tally of the disease is still at 1,709 and one death. The latest update may become available this week once the NEC completes its surveillance report.

"We are very grateful that our efforts were recognized and did not go to waste. We appreciate that the WHO finds our response efficient and that it is confident on the quality of our laboratory diagnosis," Duque said.

The DoH has shifted into the mitigation strategy among areas identified as having a 'low-level community transmission' such as in Metro Manila, particularly in the city of Manila and Quezon City.

"But in other areas where there are only sporadic cases, the old guidelines still apply, giving them Oseltamivir still holds true," Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, Director of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC) said.

The WHO official admitted that they are still clueless regarding the development of the virus in the developing world since most of the cases have occurred in well-off countries. However, the global health body has placed its faith in the Philippines to impart important lessons gathered from the management of the disease.