Public hearing set next month vs Ebola

CEBU, Philippines - At least five government agencies will participate in a public hearing initiated by the City Council next month to come up with measures that would best create awareness on the Ebola virus.

Expected to attend the hearing are representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Association and the Cebu City Health Office.

 Councilor Sisinio Andales said government officials and their constituents must be well-informed about the disease so that they can be vigilant.

Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit-7 medical chief Dr. Dino Caing said earlier the best way to combat the disease is proper hygiene.

Possible symptoms of the disease are fever, vomiting, stomach pain and dry cough. These symptoms would appear within two to 21 days after a person is exposed to the virus through the spread of body fluids. Those identified who have a high risk of getting infected are nurses, doctors, or anyone in the hospital where affected persons are taken.  There is no vaccine for the virus, so far.

Department of Health-7 assistant director Dr. Lakshmi Legaspi reiterated that the agency is campaigning to prevent the entry of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) and Ebola virus to the Philippines.

 The Ebola virus disease, formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe and frequently fatal illness with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. The DOH, though, assured that the Philippines remains free from the virus and that there is a small chance for it to reach the country.

Its infection is passed on through a direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of contaminated animals or people.

The Ebola virus has recently claimed numerous lives in Guinea and Liberia, prompting many neighboring countries to increase their watch against it. (FREEMAN)