Philippines reports two new Zika cases
The Philippine Health Ministry on October 14 reported two new cases of Zika virus infection, bringing the country’s total number of Zika virus infections to 17 this year.
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Health Secretary Paulyn Urial said the two new Zika cases were discovered in the cities of Makati and Quezon.
The Health Ministry has advised those who are experiencing Zika symptoms to immediately consult doctors and to subject themselves to Zika testing.
On October 11, the World Health Organization said that Zika virus infection is "highly likely to further spread in the Western Pacific Region, adding that the region is facing "uncertainties" on how to deal with the mosquito-borne virus.
The WHO’s latest statistics show that there have been more than 400 Zika cases detected in Singapore alone, while Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia have also reported infections.
Zika is mainly transmitted through the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which also carries dengue fever. The virus causes only mild symptoms in most, including fever, sore eyes and a rash. But pregnant women infected with the virus risk giving birth to babies with microcephaly -- a deformation that leads to abnormally small brains and heads.
Currently there is no vaccine or specific medicine to treat the disease.
Brazil is worst affected by the Zika outbreak with about 1.5 million patients.
