Manila (7 July) -- The Department of Health (DOH) has requested additional funds for its campaign against A(H1N1) influenza following the continuous increase of infected cases, an official said Monday.

Dr. Lyndon Leesuy, a medical specialist of the DOH-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said in a radio interview that they have requested over P19-million worth of funds as the cases continue to increase.

Leesuy said this will also be used in preparation for a possible "second wave" of the virus with the reported presence of a stronger virus strain abroad.

He said the government and health authorities must prepare for the possibility that the virus may become more virulent.

The additional funds will be used for swabbing kits and for buying the anti-viral Oseltamivir or Tamiflu. Some of the funds will also be used to equip other hospitals and laboratories nationwide with testing capabilities to help speed up specimen analysis for possible cases of influenza A(H1N1) virus.

The DOH is ensuring that all government hospitals, both at the national and local government levels have the capacity to administer care to high-risk patients where the severe manifestations of the A(H1N1) virus are frequently seen.

In a separate interview, DoH Secretary Francisco Duque III said that it is too early to declare the present A(H1N1) virus in the country as a ?seasonal flu? after health authorities claimed it to be mild in nature.

"Although it is mild in nature, we should under estimate the possibility that a second wave will happen or a more serious virus will emerge after this," Duque said.

Earlier, Duque said the DoH will train more health-service personnel as part of its mitigation strategy against the virus.

He said more health personnel are needed to handle more confirmed cases in the coming months.

The DOH reported that the toll of A(H1N1) cases in the country as of July 1 is 1,709.

Duque also bared on-going preparations for a possible second wave which he said would likely bring a stronger and more virulent strain from abroad.

With the ongoing threat, he reiterated his advise to the public to take preventive measures like strengthening a person?s immune system and following simple coughing and sneezing manners.