3 New Zika Cases Confirmed in PH
3 New Zika Cases – Three new Zika cases have been confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH), now, the Philippines already recorded a total of 12 Zika cases this 2016.
In a report by PhilStar, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that a Zika case has been recorded in Cebu City last week to a woman that has been pregnant for 19 weeks.
Ubial added that the 22-year-old Zika case from Cebu City did not show “any fetal abnormalities” when she underwent an ultrasound on her central nervous system.
The report added that the said patient will be monitored more frequently during her pregnancy as she will be having check-ups every two weeks.
Ubial mentioned that the birth defects can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but, the chances are higher in the first semester.
Zika virus affects a baby with a condition called microcephaly, a health condition wherein the head of the baby is smaller than the usual.
Ubial said that the cases mostly came from Region VI (Western Visayas) having 10 confirmed cases, one each from Region VII (Central Visayas), and the National Capital Region.
“Of these 12 cases, eight were females ranging from nine to 55 years old. Ten of these cases were from Region VI (Western Visayas) and one each from Region VII (Central Visayas) and the National Capital Region. The previously reported case from Laguna (Calabarzon) was traced to Muntinlupa upon verification.”
The nine of the confirmed cases came from Oton, just a few kilometers from Iloilo City.
The report added that the affected cases did not have any history of going abroad a month before their condition was discovered.
The cases had skin rashes, fever, conjunctivitis without eye discharge, muscle and joint pains, and has been said to have recovered from their mild illness.
It is also advised to apply insect repellant over exposed areas of the body to prevent the mosquito bites.
