[Trending Now] WARNING: DOH Confirms New Zika Virus Case Is Already In PH. READ HERE!

The Department of Health warns everyone of another confirmed Zika Virus case in the Philippines. But contrary to the thought of acquiring it from foreigners, DOH says it is "highly likely" locally transmitted. 

Dr. Eric Tayag, a Health official shared that a 45-year-old female patient was rushed into the hospital in Iloilo last August 31 and showed symptoms like  skin rashes and joint pains. She was confined but was immediately dischared day after.

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine received samples taken from the patient for further investigation. Tayad said that several tests had to be performed before confirming the Zika virus. 

"It is highly likely that the transmission is local but we should also consider other means of transmission but at this time, it is highly (likely) that it is local rather than otherwise," Tayag announced. He also shared that the department would send a team to Iloilo City to check the presence and test other who might have been contacted by the virus.

Symptoms are skin rashes, joint pains, fever, and conjunctivitis.

Tayag also warned everyone to keep surrounding clean and continually make necessary preventions against mosquitoes such as using mosquito repellants, or wearing overall clothes to avoid mosquito bites. 

The first Zika virus recorded in the Phillipines was in the year 2012 when an American tourist tested positive in the virus. DOH Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo confirmed that this the sixth case in the country since that year. DOH also warns everyone to minimize travelling to Singapore which is now has an outbreak of the Zika virus. 

Source: TNP, ABS-CBN