Philippine Health Department Records 10 More New Zika Cases

MANILA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) — The Philippines health department announced on Tuesday that it has recorded 10 more new cases of Zika infections, bringing the total number of locally-transmitted cases to 33.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said 12 cases have so far been recorded in Iloilo province in the central Philippines; four in Bacoor, Cavite; three in Mandaluyong City; three in Calamba City, Laguna; two in Antipolo, Rizal; two in Las Pinas City; two in Muntinlupa City; one in Cebu City, one in Quezon City, one in Makati City, one in Caloocan City, and one in Manila City.

Ubial said that monitoring of cases will continue. Again, she advised Filipinos to stick to the so-called 4S strategy to combat the mosquito-borne virus – search and destroy the breeding places of Aedes aegypti mosquitos, seek early consultation, self-protective measures and say no to indiscriminate fogging.

Zika virus is acquired through bites from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitos, the same type of mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya. Common symptoms include fever, skin rash, joint pains and conjunctivitis.

So far 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.

(Source: Xinhuanet.com)