Saying the public has put its guard down, a labor group urged the Department of Health (DoH) Sunday to resume its weekly reporting of the Influenza A (H1N1) cases in the light of the warning issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) about a possible “explosion’’ of influenza A(H1N1) cases.

In a statement, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said the DoH’s regular reporting of A(H1N1) cases has kept the public in an elevated state of readiness in dealing with the dreaded flu virus.

"Our sense is: It is better for the DoH to resume its routine reporting as to the number of people infected with the virus and the number of fatalities. This way, we put everyone in a constant high state of alertness, particularly in avoidance," the group said.

"When the DoH was providing its weekly updates on cases, the public never panicked.

But schools, factories, offices, and other potential sources of outbreaks became very mindful about prevention, which was good," it added.

Earlier, the WHO cautioned that worldwide cases of H1N1 could double every three to four days for several months and that more deaths will be documented as a result of mounting cases.

The international health organization has called on governments to be vigilant and maintain the efforts made at addressing the dreaded flu.

An outbreak of A(H1N1) first surfaced in Mexico and the United States sickening and killing hundreds
of children and adults.

Data from the WHO showed that the Philippines was among the worst-hit by the new strain, with 2,688 confirmed cases as of last July 9, including four deaths.

The country was also ranked eighth worldwide in terms of confirmed cases of Influenza A(H1N1).

The TUCP, however, noted that since the regular reporting of cases was stopped, the public has started to perceive that the virus has already subsided.

The group also lamented the media’s lack of interest in reporting H1N1cases after the DoH decided to halt its regular reporting of the cases.

Moreover, the TUCP called on corporations to come up with "workplace continuity plans" to avert the effects of the so-called "second wave" of the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.