CV still free of MERS-Cov, Ebola

CEBU, Philippines - Health authorities yesterday reiterated that Central Visayas, along with the rest of the country, remains free of fatal viruses that hit Africa and the Middle East.

Department of Health-7 Assistant Director Dr. Lakshmi Legaspi said the agency is campaigning aggressively to prevent the entry of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) and Ebola virus.

“We assure the public that we are still Ebola and MERS-CoV free. But we would like to stress that there has been no cure to these diseases so the best thing is for us to do is prevent its entry,” Legaspi said during the regular Kapihan sa PIA.

Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit-7 medical chief Dr. Dino Caing said the best way to combat these viral diseases is through proper hygiene.

“Always practice good hygiene, regular hand washing, proper diet and stay away from sick people especially those displaying symptoms of these diseases,” Caing said.

Five people were admitted recently at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu and the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Bohol but were discharged later after testing negative from MERS-CoV.

The five were in the same flight as the Filipina nurse from Saudi Arabia who was suspected to have contracted the disease.

VSMMC has negative pressure rooms to cater to patients with suspected viral diseases of international concern. Gallares, for its part, uses its private rooms to monitor the health progress of suspected patients closely.

DOH has assured support for programs of the city health office to educate the public about the two viruses

“Not necessary ang DOH kay duna may city health office ang kada lugar… if there is a move then we will support them,” Legaspi said.

Possible symptoms of the disease are fever, vomiting, stomach pain and dry cough. These symptoms would appear within two to 21 days after exposure to affected person through the spread of body fluids.

Persons who are high risk on the disease are nurses, doctors, and anybody who from the hospital where affected persons are taken. So far, there is no specific vaccine of the virus.

Recently, the Cebu City Council has asked representatives from the DOH, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Association to educate the public on dangerous diseases.

The diseases have claimed the lives of many people in other countries. — (FREEMAN)