Is PH ready for Nipah Virus? DOH hasthis to say.
NIPAH VIRUS – The Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday that the Philippines is ready for it, as it can be deadly.
Nipah virus spreads in India, and because of this, other parts of Asia become worried and concerned about it. According to a previous article, it could be worse than
COVID-19
, and Nipah’s fatality rate can reach up to 75 percent.
Is the Philippines ready for this?
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday assured the people that the country is prepared against
Nipah
. Recently, five cases were reported in West Bengal, India, with around 100 identified close contacts currently under monitoring by Indian health authorities.
This kind of virus is accordingly not new in the Philippines.
DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said,
“Nakita na ito noong 2014 pa sa Sultan Kudarat, kung saan nagkaroon ng 17 na kaso. Nakuha ito ng mga nagkasakit mula sa pagkain ng karne ng kabayo at paglapit sa taong may sakit.”
To prevent infection, the DOH advised the public to avoid contact with bats and other sick animals, buy meat only from sources approved by the National Meat Inspection Service, and thoroughly cook food.
Signs and symptoms
Initially, infected people may suffer from:
fever
headaches
myalgia (muscle pain)
vomiting
sore throat
dizziness
drowsiness
altered consciousness
neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis
Some may also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. In severe cases, encephalitis and seizures may occur, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.
The incubation period ranges from 4 to 14 days.