The DOH said there are no locally-transmitted Zika infections recorded in the Philippines.
Even some countries, like Singapore, are now doing their best to contain the Zika virus after reports of local transmission, the Department of Health said the Philippines is still free from the virus.
On Friday, DOH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Rosell-Ubial maintained that the Philippines has yet to record its first locally-transmitted Zika case.
The announcement came following reports that Singapore and Malaysia has cases of locally-transmitted Zika virus infections.
According to Ubial, Philippines has recorded five transmissions of the Zika virus since 2012 but all infections occurred overseas and none were locally transmitted.
“Yun pong na-record na five cases before are what we call imported. Ibig sabihin, nakuha nila yung infection sa ibang bansa at nag-punta sila dito sa Pilipinas,” she said.
“Wala po tayong local transmission. Ibig sabihin, wala pong umiikot dito sa Pilipinas na nakuha yung virus galing sa isang taong galing sa endemic countries,” she added.
There were 86 patients the DOH tested with the country’s supply of Zika test kits in recent days but none turned out positive for the virus nor were there reported infections by diplomatic posts abroad.
“Wala pa hong nire-report sa ‘tin na mga Filipinos affected. Most of those affected are the local population, and some of them are tourists also. Wala pang nare-report from our Embassy in Singapore na Filipino na affected,” Ubial said.
Testing kits used by the agency for Zika uses the symptomatic patient’s blood and takes a few hours to a day to confirm the presence of Zika in the said person.
After reports of Zika in other countries, the DOH and the Bureau of Quarantine have issued travel advisories to Filipinos traveling abroad on how to avoid contracting Zika and other dangerous diseases.
Overseas Filipino workers returning from Zika-affected countries have been urged to fill out health declaration forms handed at airports truthfully to prevent the possible spread of the virus upon entering the country.
“Importante po ito, hindi po para sila ay ikulong o limitahan ang kanilang movement. Ito po ay mahahalagang … material po na gagamitin ng ating departamento para kung may sakit, maari po nating ma-contact yung maari nilang nahawa habang sila ay bumabiyahe,” BOQ Dir. Dr. Ferchito Avelino said.