Manila, Philippines – Two new Zika virus cases in Metro Manila have been confirmed, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Friday, October 14.
The two cases are in Makati and Mandaluyong, according to Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial.
The Mandaluyong case is a non-child bearing 27-year-old female while the Makati case is a 42-year-old male, according to an ANC report. Both patients had rashes, fever and conjunctivitis.
“As of Oct. 13, we had 17 cases reported: 12 from Iloilo City and surrounding areas; one in Muntinlupa City, one in Cebu City, one in Antipolo City and the two new cases. They are all well and have recovered,” Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial was quoted by The Philippine Star in a press briefing on Friday.
When asked if this development is alarming, Ubial refused to answer, but said “the possibility of this virus having been in the Philippines before the outbreak in Singapore or South America was reported is already there.”
World Health Organization (WHO) country representative Gundo Weiler said in an earlier interview that due to the Philippines being a tropical country, mosquitoes are abundant, hence Zika cases are of no surprise.
“In the generic typing of the viruses, (it was found that) it is different from the virus that was discovered in South African region, as well as South America. So it is presumed (there is a virus that is) endemic in the Western Pacific region,” the Philippine Star further quotes.
To effectively combat Zika, especially now that the rainy season has come and mosquitoes are expected to multiply, the DOH has been pushing for the 4S strategy: Search and destroy mosquito-breeding places; use Self-protection measures; Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than two days, and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.
