Health Department Trains Radar on ‘Unusual Virus’ in Zamboanga City

By: Jet Villa, InterAksyon.com

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) is investigating the possible outbreak of a rare virus that causes diarrhea in Zamboanga City.

DOH Secretary Janette Garin said health authorities are closely coordinating with City Health Office of Zamboanga City, where a spike in diarrhea cases was observed early this month.

Garin said that stool samples were collected from 19 patients, and 14 of them tested positive for the so-called norovirus.

“This virus is usual in other countries but not in the Philippines. We are looking at whether or not this virus has previously existed here or was transmitted by a carrier,” she told a press briefing.

The DOH is now carrying out contact tracing in an effort to identify the index, or the first case, of the norovirus incident in Zamboanga City.

“What’s important at this point is for us to be aggressive in terms of hygiene. This means frequent attention to the washing of hands and using soap, especially after coming from the toilet,” she said.

“Washing of hands without using soap can sometimes leave residual presence of the virus, and if you proceed to preparing food, then you run the risk of contaminating the food. Ang importante magpoo-poo tayo sa tamang lugar at maghugas ng kamay (What’s important is to observe proper hygiene practices and wash hands frequently),” she said.

(Source: InterAksyon.com)