The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, April 9, said it is seeking official clarification from international health authorities regarding the medical condition of a Mexican actor who reportedly fell ill following his recent trip to the Philippines.

In an interview with DZBB, DOH Spokesperson Albert Domingo explained that the Health Department made both informal and formal efforts to obtain information on the reported bacterial infection contracted by Mexican actor Manuel Masalva, who has been placed in a medically induced coma in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“Ang unang ginawa namin, nagpatanong kami (The first thing we did was ask around),” Domingo said, noting that locally, no reports have come in related to the incident, so the DOH does not have any official data on hand.

“Officially, nagtanong na kami sa dalawang bansa na pwedeng pagkuhaan ng impormasyon (we have already asked two countries that can provide information),” Domingo said, referring to Dubai — where the actor is currently hospitalized — and Mexico, his home country.

Under the International Health Regulations (IHR), Domingo emphasized that unless the illness is considered “notifiable” —such as Covid-19 variants, Ebola, or Marburg virus—no automatic international alert is required.

Domingo said the DOH also reached out to their surveillance network, including contacts in hospitals and local government units, but has not received relevant feedback to date.

Source of information

Domingo pointed out that most of the information on the actor’s condition currently originates from statements released by his publicist, which are limited in medical detail.

“Ang impormasyon na pinanggagalingan ng ating opinyon ay kung ano lang yung ini-release nung kanyang publicist (The information that forms the basis of our opinion is only what his publicist has released),” Domingo said.

Medically induced coma explained

Referring to the mention of a "medically induced coma" in the publicist's statement, Domingo sought to clarify misconceptions.

“Kapag sinabi pong medically induced [coma], hindi po 'yan nakakatakot (When we say medically induced [coma], it is not something to be feared),” Domingo said.

“Ang doktor mismo, na may pahintulot ng pasyente o pamilya, ang nagsasabi kung kailangang i-sedate para mapanatili ang kalagayan ng pasyente (The doctor, with the patient's or family's consent, determines if sedation is necessary to maintain the patient's condition),” he added.

Domingo, a physician and health systems specialist, explained that sedation is standard for patients in intensive care who require mechanical ventilation to avoid distress.

International disclosure

Domingo also addressed the claim that a specific bacterium was identified by doctors, saying it would have been helpful if more specific information had been shared.

“What we can do is infer,” Domingo said in a mix of English and Filipino. “Ayon dun sa report, bumubuti ang kondisyon ng aktor. Ang mikrobyo, kahit sabihing aggressive, ay hindi bago at hindi delikado—nagagamot siya (According to the report, the actor's condition is improving. The microorganism, even if described as aggressive, is neither new nor dangerous—it can be treated),” he added.

Lastly, Domingo stressed that unless the illness meets criteria under the IHR, there is no obligation for international disclosure, and the patient’s right to medical privacy must be respected.

“Ang pasyente ay may karapatan rin, in general, maski sa ibang bansa kung ayaw niyang i-disclose yung detalye ng kanyang sakit at hindi naman ito IHR-notifiable, di niya kailangan i-disclose (The patient also has the right, in general—even in other countries—not to disclose the details of their illness. If it is not IHR-notifiable, they are not required to disclose it),” he added.