5th Zika case in Phl recorded

MANILA, Philippines - Another Korean who visited the Philippines recently tested positive for Zika virus, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

This is the fifth case of Zika virus recorded in the country, according to Health Secretary Janette Garin.

“We received information last Wednesday that a 39-year-old Korean has been found positive for Zika virus after visiting the country,” Garin said.

The Korean remains confined in a hospital in Korea, Garin said.

“The Korean is still in the hospital for complete recovery,” she said.

A 20-year-old Korean man who went on vacation in Boracay tested positive for Zika virus last month.

Garin said there is no need for contact tracing as she dismissed public fears of a possible epidemic of the mosquito-borne virus in the country.

She said the DOH has been coordinating with the government of South Korea concerning the latest case of Zika virus.

Garin said the new case proved that Zika virus is present in the country, but maintained that all cases reported were mild as the patients have recovered fast with no complications.

“What is important is that no pregnant woman has been infected by the virus,” Garin said.

According to the DOH, Zika infection is self-limiting most of the time but its effects on the result of pregnancy cannot not be discounted. Zika virus has been linked to congenital CNS malformation like microcephaly.

There is no available vaccine to prevent the mosquito-borne virus. But medical experts said the symptoms of Zika virus could be treated with common pain and fever medicine, rest and enough water intake.

The disease is characterized by fever, rash, conjunctivitis, joint pain, muscle pain, headache and vomiting.

Garin said Zika virus is usually transmitted through the bite of infected female Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that cause dengue and chikungunya.

She called on the public to keep their surroundings clean and get rid of mosquito breeding sites to prevent the spread of Zika virus in the country.

Garin said maintaining clean surroundings is the best preventive measure, especially with onset of La Niña in the coming months.