Representatives of the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7) announced during the Kapihan sa PIA forum last Wednesday that Cebu is still free from Zika virus.
A single case of Zika was documented in Cebu in 2012 when a 15-year-old boy who traveled to Europe was diagnosed with the virus. It was the first and last case of Zika diagnosis in the country and the boy has fully recovered since then.
Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal of the DOH 7 said Zika virus is transmitted through mosquito bites. Its signs and symptoms are not specific, as they could also be identified with other illnesses, such as dengue.
“The symptoms include fever, muscle pains and conjunctivitis,” she said.
Cañal said everybody could be infected once they are bitten by an Aedes aegypti mosquito carrying the virus.
However, studies have found that pregnant women are more at risk as the virus could be transmitted to the unborn baby, she added.
Reports said pregnant women infected by the virus gave birth to babies with microcephaly, a congenital condition associated with incomplete brain development and abnormal smallness of the head.
Cañal said that since Zika virus is similar to dengue, the prevention that they adopt is the 4S strategy against dengue.
The 4S stands for search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, seek early consultation, self-protective measures, and say “no” to indiscriminate fogging.
Cañal said the World Health Organization has declared Zika virus as an international health emergency because the carrier of the virus is the Aedes aegypti, which can be found worldwide.
Treatment is supportive, a similar approach in dealing with dengue.
“When we say supportive, we have to increase our fluid intake once we have a fever to keep hydrated and to take a paracetamol,” she said.
“We cannot take an antibiotic for this as this is a viral infection, nor an aspirin as this could have an adverse reaction with the virus,” she added.
The DOH is taking measures to fight the virus by intensifying their monitoring operations at international airports, in coordination with the Bureau of Quarantine and by determining a person’s travel history.
Dr. Sophia Mancao, OIC assistant regional director of DOH 7, said Zika virus is not worrisome and alarming as this is relatively mild compared to dengue, which can be fatal.
The DOH has already procured 1,000 test kits, with more on the way. They are also training medical personnel on how to use these test kits.
“These kits will be tested on those who are suspected of having the virus,” Mancao said.
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