THE City Health Office is advising the public not to panic over the reported spread of the Zika virus and explained there is no existing travel ban, only a Zika advisory for travellers in going to Iloilo City.
The Zika virus advisory for travellers going to Iloilo was issued by the health department after testing confirmation from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Philippines was done in three people positive of the mosquito virus in Barangay Benedicto, Jaro district, Iloilo City.
Iloilo City Health Officer Bernard Caspe said the travel advisory must not deter travellers to Iloilo since the DOH had already announced the victims are positively recovering from the disease.
There is no need to panic about the disease since corrective measures are in place and the affected barangay undergoes indoor spraying in every house.
The DOH has also placed Iloilo City under an intensified surveillance.
Caspe said the city is hosting several international and national conferences this month of September and October including a visit of some members of the British Parliament to see the city’s best practices in governance and social services.
The Department of Health (DOH) maintains that the Zika risk to most travellers in Iloilo is low.
Travellers are strongly advised to protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites through covering of exposed skin wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, use of FDA-registered insect repellents, stay in places with air-conditioning and screened-in windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.
DOH Regional Director Marlyn Convocar also said pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to Iloilo where there is an on-going local transmission.
If a pregnant woman get sick within 2 to 7 days after being in Iloilo, she must consult a doctor if a fever develops with skin rash, joint pains, and conjunctivitis or red eyes, take acetaminophen or paracetamol to relieve the fever or pain.
Convocar said the pregnant woman must not take aspirin or products containing aspirin, gets lots of rest and drink plenty of liquids.
Women who are pregnant should not travel to areas with Zika. If travel is a must, talk to her doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.
If having a partner who lives in or has travelled to areas with Zika, either use condom (or other barriers to prevent infection) or do not have sex (vaginal, anal or oral) during pregnancy.
Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same type that spreads dengue and chikungunya viruses.
Mosquitoes that spread chikungunya, dengue, and Zika are aggressive daytime biters, but they can also bite at night.
