[Trending Now] BREAKING: Zika Virus Now In Metro Manila! Everyone Must Know This!

Zika virus has been confirmed to have reached Metro Manila, an advisory by the Department of Health said last Thursday, 13 October at lunch time. 

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial reported two new cases on Friday, one each from Makati City and Mandaluyong City.

She said the patient from Mandaluyong was a 27-year-old, non-pregnant female while the one from Makati was a 42-year-old male. 

She said both exhibited the usual symptoms of Zika, including rashes and fever with conjunctivitis or red eyes. 

Of the other 15 reported Zika cases, 12 are in Iloilo, while Muntinlupa, Cebu, and Antipolo have one case each.

Fortunately, DOH clarified the strain of the Zika virus in the Philippines is different from the strain discovered in South America and parts of Africa, which has been linked to birth defects including newborn babies with unusually small heads.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in their latest regional committee meeting with the Department of Health (DOH) that there is a possibility “of endemicity of this virus in the Western Pacific regions.”

Zika, which resembles a light case of the flu, is transmitted by mosquito species found in tropical and sub-tropical regions: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, or tiger.

“[Use] insect repellents and insecticide-treated bednets if possible. Seek early consultation. We’re still offering free testing for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya to anybody who has symptoms. 

And say yes to fogging only when there is clustering of cases,” she said.

“Nasa rainy season tayo so malaki ang mosquito population natin. Bringing down the mosquito population is the best strategy to prevent our dengue, Zika, and chikungunya infections,” Ubial added.

Health officials reported the first confirmed local transmission of the virus in September.

Source: TNP, GMA