Just last Friday, the Department of Health (DOH) through Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial reported that the Philippines is Zika-virus free.
However, DOH confirmed the reported case of a 45-year old female in Iloilo.
This is the first confirmed case of Zika in 2016 that is locally transmitted.
The five previously confirmed cases of Zika virus last week were all travelers from another country.
According to DOH, the 45-year old female is married but not pregnant. Last August 31, she had herself checked because of skin rash and joint pains but not accompanied with fever.
She was confined at a local hospital and had her urine and blood collected and was discharged the following day.
The tests of her specimen were done at RITM and resulted positive of the Zika virus.
She is currently at home recovering from her very mild illness.
DOH reminds the public to cooperate and avoid to be bitten by mosquitoes to prevent the spread of the virus. Breeding sites of mosquitoes should also be destroyed.
Precautions should be observed by travelers as well as residents. Bureau of Quarantine has also released Zika travel advisory for travelers going in and out of the country.
Zika is primarily transmitted through aedes mosquito bites. Sexual transmission has also been reported in other countries.
Zika causes neurologic defects or the microcephaly in babies born of infected mothers.
DOH will be sending a team first flight to Iloilo to make further tests and contact tracing exposed with the 45-year old female.
DOH advises anyone who presents with skin rash accompanied by fever, red eyes or joint pains to consult a doctor and rush to nearby government health facility, especially pregnant women. — Aiko Miguel | UNTV News & Rescue
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