The Influenza A (H1N1) virus still remains a threat to the Philippines, the Department of Health (DoH) Thursday said.

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the government is not letting its guard down against the flu virus even in the wake of delivery of 1.9 million doses of donated vaccines from the World Health Organization (WHO).

“It still remains a threat. We want to prevent an outbreak, particularly in high-risk population. It exists all the time,” she said, in an ambush interview, shortly after the awarding rites of the Presidential Award for Child Friendly Municipalities and Cities, led by President Arroyo at Malacañang’s Heroes Hall.

She said the Philippine government is expecting the remaining 90 percent of the 9 million doses of flu vaccines pledged by the WHO to arrive within the year. WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan made the pledge in November 2009.

Nearly half a million heath workers are set to receive the vaccinations following the delivery of the 1.9 million doses of vaccines.

Health workers have been identified as among the most-at-risk population, along with pregnant women, people aged six months to 59 years old with chronic medical conditions, children five years old and below and adults 60 years old and above.