MYSTERIOUS VIRUS. Department of Health Assistant Secretary Abdullah Dumama, Jr. says there is no reported case of the so-called ‘mysterious respiratory virus’ coming from China in the Davao Region, during an interview on Tuesday (Jan. 7, 2020). However, the official says they will continue monitoring seaports and airports to make sure that the virus would not enter the region. (File photo courtesy of Kevin Caro)
DAVAO CITY –There is no reported case of the so-called "mysterious respiratory virus" coming from China in Davao Region, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.
The South China Morning Post reported on January 4 that an unknown strain of pneumonia has been making people ill in Wuhan, China.
In an interview, Health Assistant Secretary Abdullah Dumama, Jr. said they will closely monitor the seaports and airports to make sure that the virus cannot enter the region.
Dumama added that there is no travel ban in the country in connection with the reported mysterious disease in China.
“If you are coming from China, the BOQ (Bureau of Quarantine) is requiring a health declaration checklist. We hope that they fill it up with honesty and it should be accurate and updated. If you possess some signs and symptoms, you can come to us and we will immediately screen you,” he said.
Dumama clarified that tight screening and monitoring will be conducted especially on travelers coming from the said country.
“However, the Bureau of Quarantine said that even if there is no situation on ground, we have to continuously monitor the airport and seaports,” he said.
He added that the BOQ is in close coordination with the hospitals in monitoring cases of admitted patients coming from China.
“They are checking the patient’s manifesto and monitor if there are cases which manifested the same symptoms,” he said.
However, Dumama clarified that the mysterious disease does not involve human-to-human transmission while it manifests pneumonia, fever, joint pains, and colds.
“Some are ruling SARS, influenza, and corona (virus) but we need to determine its origin,” he said.
He also asked the public to refrain from posting on social media regarding the disease, which he said may only create panic among the public. (PNA)
