Three New Confirmed Cases of Zika in Philippines, Total Rises to 12

Three new cases of Zika virus has been reported in the Philippines, taking the total number diagnosed to 12 this year.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said all 12 cases were locally transmitted, and that no other transmissions apart from mosquito bite has been recorded.

"These cases did not have a history of travel to an affected country a month prior to the onset of their illness," he said.

‘None of the Zika cases reported in the Philippines had a history of travel to an affected country before the onset of illness.’

"All of these confirmed cases presented with skin rashes with any one of the following: fever, muscle or joint paints, conjunctivitis without eye discharge."

"All have recovered from their mild illness," the secretary said.

Ubial has ordered all health workers especially in regions where there are Zika cases to be more vigilant and to wage a more intensive mosquito control campaigns to eradicate mosquitoes.

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



Source: IANS