THREE more confirmed cases of Zika virus have been found in Iloilo to bring the number of those afflicted with the mosquito-borne disease this year to 12.
Speaking at a media conference in Pasig City, Department of Health (DOH) chief Paulyn Ubial disclosed that there are three more Zika cases found in the province Iloilo.
“Two were from Iloilo City and one from Oton, just a few kilometers outside Iloilo City,” said Ubial.
And just like the previous cases, she said the new ones did not have history of travel to an affected country a month prior to the onset of their illness and are considered as local transmissions caused by mosquito bites.
She added that the new cases manifested symptoms of the Zika virus, specifically skin rashes and fever, but have since recovered from their mild illnesses.
Ubial said the spread of Zika cases in Iloilo has prompted the local government to conduct indoor residual spraying coupled with fogging in affected and high risk areas to reduce adult mosquito density.
Similarly, the official said affected communities have conducted search and destroy in a bid to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
Still, she said the government is not yet recommending the issuance of a travel advisory for travels to Iloilo, especially for pregnant women.
“We are not recommending travel bans in affected areas as is practiced in other afflicted countries,” said Ubial.
According to the DOH, the country has already seen 12 Zika cases for this year alone with 10 coming from Iloilo in Western Visayas while the two others are from Cebu and Muntinlupa City, repsectively.
“The previously reported case from Laguna was traced to Muntinlupa upon verification,” noted Ubial.
The 12 confirmed cases, however, is merely eight percent of the 150, who manifested symptoms and were tested for possible Zika virus.
Meanwhile, Ubial said the one from Cebu has been confirmed to be 19 weeks pregnant with her first child.
“We conducted an initial ultrasound test to check for fetal abnormalities, particularly in the central nervous system. None were detected,” said Ubial.
She said the absence of any fetal abnormalities, for the moment, is slightly good news considering that Zika is being linked to microcephaly, which is a birth defect wherein a baby’s head is smaller than ordinary.
“It (abnormalities) can happen at any stage actually. But, usually, the risk is higher in the first trimester,” said Ubial.
Because of this, she said the DOH will closely monitor the 22-year old and her pregnancy status.
“We will have more frequent check-ups, which is every two weeks,” said Ubial. (HDT/Sunnex)