The city government through the City Health Services Office (CHSO) has assured the public that there is still no cause for alarm in the city with regards to the Nipah virus, which is now causing concern after registering deaths in India.
In a statement, City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes said that there are currently no confirmed or suspected cases of Nipah virus in the city and that they are closely monitoring developments in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH).
She said measures are in place for the safety and protection of residents against the disease and these are aligned with the protocols in the national level.
The DOH had earlier said that the country is prepared to respond to Nipah virus and other emerging infectious diseases.
Nipah virus is said to be “a zoonotic disease transmissible from animals to humans with fruit bats as its natural carriers. Pigs and horses can also become infected, though human cases remain rare and outbreaks have been contained in affected areas.
First identified in Malaysia in 1998 and Singapore in 1999, the virus now sees seasonal outbreaks in parts of Bangladesh and India, including recent managed cases in West Bengal.
The Philippines receives updates via the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (IHR) network.
The DOH has confirmed that the country is prepared, noting past cases in Sultan Kudarat in 2014 linked to infected animals and close contacts—no further cases since, with ongoing surveillance by the DOH Epidemiology Bureau.
In 2023, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) updated guidelines stressing Nipah’s high-risk status, transmission via body fluids and droplets, lack of vaccine or antiviral treatment, supportive care needs, strict PPE and infection controls and centralized testing at RITM.
As a precaution, the CHSO reminded the public to avoid contact with bats and sick or dead animals, consume only meat inspected by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), ensure food is thoroughly cooked and practice good hand hygiene. Individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms with severe headache or neurological signs, especially after animal exposure, are advised to seek medical attention promptly.
Brillantes said the CHSO continues to work closely with the DOH-CAR, hospitals, laboratories and emergency response units to maintain readiness. The public is urged to remain calm, rely on official information and avoid spreading misinformation.
She assured that updates will be issued should there be any change in the situation. ** Aileen P. Refuerzo
