VACCINES. Central Visayas has not recorded any cases of walking pneumonia but Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, head of Department of Health’s Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit in Central Visayas (RESU-7), on Tuesday (Dec. 19, 2023) reminds the public to continue observing health protocols since threats of walking pneumonia and the Covid-19 remain. She said vaccination against flu, pneumonia, and human papillomavirus (HPV) continues to protect the public. (PNA file photo)
CEBU CITY – The head of the Department of Health’s Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit in Central Visayas (RESU-7) reminded the public to continue observing health protocols amid the enduring threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and walking pneumonia.
RESU-7 head Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal said that although Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas have not recorded a single case of walking pneumonia the public is advised to take precautions to prevent an outbreak.
“The public should always do the universal precaution that is hand-washing. We should not put our hands anywhere on our face. Observe the cough etiquette by covering both your mouth and nose. Do not cough with your hands,” she said during the Open Line News Forum here Tuesday.
Cañal said symptomatic individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks “to protect yourself from other viruses and your loved ones from contracting the influenza-like illness (ILI) that you get.”
She said symptoms of walking pneumonia are the same as those of Covid and ILI and the disease could be transmitted through direct contact of droplets that may be carriers of the bacteria called “mycoplasma pneumoniae,” the smallest species of bacteria strain.
She expressed confidence that if ever a case of walking pneumonia would be recorded in the region, doctors here could give proper medication for the disease.
Since Dec. 15 this year, free vaccinations against flu, pneumonia, and human papillomavirus (HPV) have been done in the local government units to prevent outbreaks. (PNA)
