The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
President Aquino directed the Department of Health (DOH) to monitor the situation abroad and study the Zika virus to ensure public safety, a Malacañang official said.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III noted in a radio interview Saturday that, according to current briefers on the virus, it is not easily transmittable.
Health department advisories also say the precautions on the virus are very similar precautions against dengue fever.
“In other words, ang dapat ay siguruhin na hindi kumalat ang mga mosquito na nagdadala ng virus na ito,” Quezon said over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
He said everyone has a role to play in making sure everybody is healthy and safe, especially pregnant women.
Quezon advised the public to maintain cleanliness and orderliness in their homes and destroy the breeding grounds of mosquitoes, the known carrier of the disease.
“Second of all, kung mayroon tayong nakikitang outbreak of dengue or similar diseases, to get in touch with
your barangay health center or ‘yung barangay mismo para pwede silang mag-coordinate with the DOH para magkaroon ng pest control,” he said.
Lastly, he said people must be vigilant and whenever they notice anyone as having fever they must see a doctor immediately.
“In other words, calmness, information, cooperation are our tools against this disease, and we should remain alert for any updates from the Department of Health,” Quezon continued.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of the infection arising from the Zika virus are fever, rashes, joint pains, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert over the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil.
The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes. PNA