The Zika virus has been threatening to cause a widespread panic for the past couple of weeks. The growing global epidemic, which has been “spreading explosively” in South America, is highly suspected to be the cause of severe birth defects and brain deformities in babies.
READ: The scary new tropical virus that is shrinking babies’ brains
Though the threat is there, the risk of it spreading to the Philippines is still unlikely.
Even so, Department of Health (DOH) secretary Janette Garin reassured the public through Rappler that there are 1,000 kits available for Zika virus testing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City. Another batch of 1,000 kits are also on the way.
“We do not like to create panic or overreact because we would like to target our resources where it is necessary,” clarified Garin.
She also stressed their goal of managing resources well by using the testing kits at the appropriate time.
Learn more about this global threat through the infographic below.
Teenage boy tested positive for Zika
Back in 2012, there was a documented case of Zika in the Philippines. The teenage boy tested negative for dengue but tested postive for Zika. After three weeks of bed rest and medication, the boy fully recovered and the virus did not spread.
The DOH then made the necessary steps should the need arise to conduct nationwide Zika virus testing. Hence, the 1000 kits were provided. Little did they know the surplus would come in handy four years later.
DOH secretary Garin reassured the public that, although Zika virus is not imminent threat, they will remain extra vigilant and make sure all the necessary preparations because the 2012 case confirms that the mosquito which carries the disease can thrive in the Philippines.
Who will be tested for the Zika virus?
At present, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) plans to train five other institutions in using the Zika virus testing kits. These institutions are: Lung Center of the Philippines, Baguio General Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, Southern Philippine Medical Center, and the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
They have yet to release a statement regarding when and on whom the kits will be used.
The DOH with the help of the Bureau of Quarantine are also closely monitoring incoming tourists and returning Filipinos who have high fever. They urged airport terminals to maintain a sanitary environment in order to help battle the risk of Zika entering the country.
Though this method has its limits: since most of them don’t manifest symptoms immediately.
The DOH also urges the public to observe cleanliness to fight infection spreading in the home, saying in a statement, “The first step to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is within our homes. We should not only remember the information being delivered by DOH to the communities. Instead, let us make it a practice and instill cleanliness in our surroundings.”
READ: Baby born with brain damage possibly due to Zika virus
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