DOH investigating strange Ormoc virus

A five-man team from the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center (DOH-NEC) flew to Ormoc City yesterday to investigate the reported strange virus that afflicted 12 children of the prominent Larrazabal family.

Dr. Ernesto Bontuyan, of the DOH-NEC, refused to say whether the symptoms of high fever, sore eyes and tonsillitis which the victims aged one to 49 suffered from, were indicative of the West Nile virus, pending the results of their investigation.

Bontuyan said there has been no known case of the West Nile virus in the country.

Regional DOH information officer Ligaya Anacta-Acosta said the still unverified virus struck the Larrazabal’s MR compound in Barangay Bantigue, 4.5 kilometers from the Ormoc City proper, during the first week of this month when five dogs suffered from seizures. Several wild ducks there, however, died a month ago.

Several animals, some of them imported, are being bred in the Larrazabal compound. These include dogs, birds, chickens, fish, pigeons, goats, horses, ducks and eagles.

In its initial investigation, the regional DOH office identified the virus as "viral encephalitis probably secondary to animal source virus."

Two cases, however, pointed to "herpes encephalitis versusacute disseminated encephalomyelitis viral."

Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain which can be caused by bacteria or viruses, including those transmitted by mosquitoes.

Dr. Rogelio Marson, Ormoc City health officer, identified the 12 victims as Marcos Larrazabal II, who is in coma and confined at the family-owned Cebu Doctors Hospital; his sister Erica and cousins Miguel and Kolina Kangleon, Melchor Larrazabal, 15; Camille Matie Cimafranca, 6; Ma. Amalie, 3, Michaela, 6, and Alfonso, all surnamed Larrazabal; Txibe Kangleon, Ma. Lita Serafica and Martha Ma. Serafica. — Rainier Ronda, Miriam Garcia Desacada and Freeman News Service