The Philippine government has warned citizens, especially OFWs, to be alert against the spread of Zika virus.
After the cases of Zika virus continue to increase in some Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia, the Philippine government has called the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to take good care of self and be alert in order to avoid the transmission of the virus.
In Singapore, 215 cases are already reported where scientists discovered that the strain of the virus did not came from Brazil, but it is locally-transmitted.
Following this, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has called the OFWs to be cautious, especially when they are living in countries where there are Zika virus.
According to the record of the DFA, there are close 10 million Filipinos living and working abroad.
Because of this, the DFA has urged citizens, particularly those traveling, to take extra precautions and be alert when in Zika-affected countries.
The DFA issued the travel advisory following the increasing number of cases of Zika infection in Singapore which is host to 180,000 Filipinos, mostly domestic workers.
In a statement released by the agency, the DFA reiterated that the Bureau of Quarantine continued to screen arriving passengers at all international ports in the country for signs of fever, for early detection.
The DFA said both Filipino and foreign passengers are required to fill out a health declaration card upon arrival at the airport and to report to any government health facility if they become ill with unexplained fever within 7 days of arrival in the country.
The DFA quoted Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, who said the Zika virus was usually acquired through bites from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the same type that spreads dengue and chikungunya.
“Signs and symptoms of Zika usually begin three to seven days after being bitten. Common symptoms include fever, skin rash, joint pains and conjunctivitis. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting two to seven days, Rosell-Ubial had said, as quoted by the DFA.
She said that not everyone who gets infected shows its symptoms, “that is why it is important to avoid mosquito bites. Hence, it is very important to clean one’s surroundings in order to prevent the multiplication of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.”
In a press conference last week, the Department of Health maintained the position that the Philippines remains a Zika virus-free country, especially the locally-transmitted one.