What Kind of Ebola is in PH? Palace Explains
Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 09/07/2015 5:36 PM
PH still Ebola-free, says Palace
MANILA – Malacanang on Monday allayed fears that the deadly Ebola virus has reached the country.
This is after a report that 11 monkeys in undisclosed farms and facilities in the Philippines have tested positive for Ebola Reston virus, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said there is nothing to fear based on the findings of experts in the DOH.
“Ayon sa Department of Health, ang uri ng Ebola na nakita sa bansa ay hindi kahalintulad sa strain na kumalat sa Africa. Ang klase ng Ebolang ito, ang Ebola Reston, ay dati nang nakita at naidokumento ng DOH na hindi nagdudulot ng anumang sakit sa tao,” he said.
“Sa kasalukuyan, ang Philippine interagency committee on zoonosis, ay nagtutulong tulong sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa at stratehiya upang kontrolin at sugpuin ang mga tinaguriang zoonotic diseases o mga sakit na naililipat mula sa mga hayop tungo sa tao at vice versa,” he added.
Health Secretary Janette Garin earlier said the Ebola Reston strain is not lethal to humans.
The strain is lethal to animals and can be transmitted to humans, but it will have no effect on humans, Garin said.
“What we have now is Ebola Reston virus. What was in Africa was Ebola Zahir. Ebola Reston is isa sa pinakamabait na Ebola, walang effect sa humans,” Garin said.
The health secretary said all the handlers of the infected monkeys have tested negative for the Ebola Reston variety.
This is the third time that monkeys in the Philippines have been infected with the Ebola Reston virus. The first time was in 1989, and the second was in 2008 until 2009.
The DOH said it is investigating if other animals were also infected with the virus. – With a report from Primy Cane, ABS-CBN News