DOH on high alert re: Zika virus
The Department of Health (DOH) is currently on alert especially on flights from Singapore where there are local transmissions of 41 confirmed cases of Zika virus as confirmed by authorities.
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial explained that the policy of DOH is only to test “symptomatic traveles form endemic countries.” Because of this, Singapore flights will be among those that will be closely monitored for Zika symptomatics, she said.
Zika is caused by the bites of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and its symptoms include mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, malaise or headache, muscle and joint pain. These could last for two to seven days.
This disease is also linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome and microcephaly, which is a condition characterized by abnormal smallness of the head of a child whose mother is infected.
Because of the threat of travellers bringing the disease, surveillance and quarantine checks at Philippine airport and seaports are being continued to prevent Zika virus and other infectious diseases to penetrate out country.
According to Ubial, those who are manifesting symptoms such as fever, cough, colds, and those who had been to Zika-affected countries are being tested. “The symptomatics are sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for isolation and testing.”
On the other hand, the non-symptomatics are not required to isolation, but are advised to contact the agency if symptoms appear in two weeks.
Ubial affirms that the Philippines is currently free of Zika virus. ASCS
Source: Philstar
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial explained that the policy of DOH is only to test “symptomatic traveles form endemic countries.” Because of this, Singapore flights will be among those that will be closely monitored for Zika symptomatics, she said.
Zika is caused by the bites of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and its symptoms include mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, malaise or headache, muscle and joint pain. These could last for two to seven days.
 |
| Photo by Felipe Dana |
Because of the threat of travellers bringing the disease, surveillance and quarantine checks at Philippine airport and seaports are being continued to prevent Zika virus and other infectious diseases to penetrate out country.
According to Ubial, those who are manifesting symptoms such as fever, cough, colds, and those who had been to Zika-affected countries are being tested. “The symptomatics are sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for isolation and testing.”
On the other hand, the non-symptomatics are not required to isolation, but are advised to contact the agency if symptoms appear in two weeks.
Ubial affirms that the Philippines is currently free of Zika virus. ASCS
Source: Philstar
Love this article? Sharing is caring!
DOH on high alert re: Zika virus
Reviewed by Kristian S.
on
30 August
Rating:
Reviewed by Kristian S.
on
30 August
Rating:
No comments:
Share your thoughts here...