THE regional Department of Health (DOH) said the public should not be scared about the Zika virus and advised them to clear their surroundings of garbage and any receptacle that can accumulate stagnant water.
In Wednesday’s press conference, Regional DOH Director Jaime Bernadas said the public should be more afraid of dengue which is more severe. A 22-year-old female in Cebu City had just been discharged from the hospital after being confirmed to have contracted the Zika virus which is transmitted by a mosquito bite.
Her household is being monitored for any signs of infection and blood samples were taken from them. Bernadas cautioned pregnant women to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes lest they contract the Zika virus which can affect the fetus. “But the percentage of Zika virus affecting the fetus is 10 percent and there are no reported cases of Zika virus affecting expectant mothers,” Bernadas said.