Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday allayed the public’s concerns over the reported surge of respiratory illness in China, saying it is not caused by a new virus and is related to the cold season.
In an ambush interview, Herbosa explained that rising respiratoryillnesses in China are part of their “seasonal endemic respiratory illnesses,” considering it is currently winter there.
“We’re monitoring the rise of respiratory illnesses in China, andthey’ve given their reports to the WHO International Health Regulations. It’s not a new virus, it’s the common diseases like mycoplasma, pneumonia, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus,” he said.
“I want to tell the people—don’t be worried. We’re doing our own surveillance, and we will make sure in the Philippines, we have not yet reported a rise of the respiratory illnesses,” he said.
Relaxed COVID-19 restrictions and the changing weather could be toblame for the rise in flu-like illnesses in the Philippines, an expert also said on Wednesday.
The Department of Health (DOH) said the surge of influenza-like illnesses in the country had already slowed, but cases already reached more than 180,000 as of this month.
People should mask up, said Dr. Benito Atienza, vice president of the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations.
He said the public should also consider having their flu shots annually and they should not wait to get this at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Beijing said there were no “unusual or novel pathogens” in respiratory illnesses spreading in the northern part of the country.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) this Friday said it was coordinating with the DOH on the development and urged the public to adhere to health protocols.
“The OCD is actively monitoring developments related to the reported influenza-like illnesses in China and is urging the public to assist in combating misinformation on the matter, as the DOH has already assured everyone that it is not yet a cause for concern,” OCD said.
Patients with flu-like symptoms, such as high-grade fever, cough, cold, and sore throat, who visit DOH facilities are tested to identify the virus that caused their illness, Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta
