FILE PHOTO: DOH Re-emerging Infectious Disease Program Manager Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy (UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines — The country recorded its first case of the mosquito-borne Zika virus back in 2012, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
A report from the Center for Disease and Control said that it came from a 15-year old boy in Cebu City who showed symptoms of headache conjunctivitis, sore throat and nausea, among others.
He recovered fully after a three-week follow up visit.
Although there were no new reported cases since then, the health department assures it is ready in case the virus enters the country.
On the program Good Morning Kuya,Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy of Department of Health said in a phone interview, monitoring of the said virus is needed especially since it occurs in tropical countries like the Philippines.
Suy reminded the public anew to always clean their environment so as to avoid having the said infection.
“The health department is ready, but the public must also ensure that their environment is always clean,” Dr. Suy said.
In line with this, DOH Sec. Janette Garin ordered the study of the said virus. These include determining its effects and dangers on patients particularly on babies of pregnant victims.
The DOH explains that dengue is more dangerous than the Zika virus since 80 percent of its victims do not show any symptoms at all. Common symptoms associated with Zika are skin rashes, nausea, and fever, among others. But some experts believe it is also linked to brain damage in newborns.
Experts say the Zika virus can be primarily transmitted through mosquito bites.
“There is no direct transmission, although the main cause of the infection is insect bites or what we call insect mos-quitoes, which have the capacity to transmit the virus,” DOH Re-emerging Infectious Disease Program Manager Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy explained. (DARLENE BASINGAN / UNTV News)
The post No new Zika virus case in PHL — DOH appeared first on UNTV News.