Infectious disease specialist Rontgene Solante on Friday, Sept. 22 confirmed that there are currently no known cases of Nipah virus in the Philippines.
He gave the assurance while health officials remained vigilant in monitoring the potential health threats of Nipah virus.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported a single recorded case of Nipah virus infection in Sultan Kudarat in 2014.
After consuming horse meat or being exposed to horses, affected people experience symptoms.
The DOH listed a number of symptoms, including fever, headaches with altered levels of consciousness, coughing, and breathing problems.
Based on its report, 17 suspect cases were discovered during a joint field investigation in April 2014.
Eight of the patients in these cases, according to the Health Department, fully recovered, while the other nine died.
Additionally, it said that no similar health events or suspected cases had been reported or informed to the Epidemiology Bureau since that time.
DOH said it remains proactive in establishing a robust surveillance system designed to detect any potential cases that may emerge.
It also continues its efforts to strengthen public health interventions as part of its eight-point action agenda.
According to the DOH, the importance of disease prevention through health promotion and communication was emphasized in this comprehensive strategy.
It also focuses on implementing stringent infection prevention and control (IPC) measures aimed at reducing the transmission of various infections, including the Nipah virus. (Zekinah Elize Espina)