"There are simple preventive measures against this disease. "
"There are simple preventive measures against this disease. "
Many of our fellow Filipinos are still reeling from the devastation of the Taal Volcano eruption. Thousands of families in Batangas and Cavite provinces lost their homes and means of livelihood.
It’s just heartwarming that thousands have extended a helping hand and donated relief goods to augment those provided by the government.
Many displaced families who could no longer be accommodated in evacuation areas in the region were actually welcomed in the homes of private individuals.
Indeed, the spirit of bayanihan prevailed amidst the calamity wrought by Taal’s eruption.
But in the aftermath of the volcanic activity, we are faced with the threat of an outbreak of the dreaded novel coronavirus (nCoV) or Wuhan virus in the country.
Although there has been only one confirmed case in the Philippines, that of a 38-year-old Chinese female who originated from Wuhan and arrived here via Hong Kong, we cannot be complacent and discount the possibility of other still undetected cases had reached our shores.
Apparently, the Bureau of Quarantine failed to detect her illness upon her arrival last Jan. 21. Department of Health authorities are now tracing the contacts the Chinese woman had made while traveling and when she got here.
Notably, had she not consulted a doctor regarding her worsening cough, authorities would not have discovered her nCoV infection immediately.
The DOH said its symptoms include cough and colds, fever, difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. Aside from pneumonia and bronchitis, the DOH said its symptoms could lead to kidney problems and even death.
Inevitably, the thought of this potential threat has caused anxiety and even panic among our people following widespread reports of the fatalities in China grew to 213 as of this writing.
The global situation is bad as it is and with at least one confirmed case in the country, there is cause for worry and anxiety.
But, while doctors and scientists themselves are in a frenzy to find a vaccine or antidote against this killer disease likened to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, we should avoid panicking.
Come to think of it, the top killer disease in the country remains heart ailment, stroke and respiratory illnesses like tuberculosis. The last thing we need to do in the face of this new mysterious killer disease is to panic and over-react.
Worse, some people fear there is nothing we can do to fight nCoV or prevent it from becoming a pandemic. This is utterly wrong.
There are simple preventive measures against this disease.
In its health advisory, DOH said regular handwashing can prevent the spread of nCoV.
Avoid contact with animals. Avoid those who have cough and colds and always cover one's mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
Wear a face mask if necessary.
The DOH also stressed the importance of drinking plenty of water, proper cooking of food, and consultation with a health facility if symptoms of cough and colds persist.
Also, strictly observe proper hygiene and train children to do the same.
As recommended by the World Health Organization, install exit screening at airports as part of a comprehensive set of containment measures, set up of mechanisms and measures to detect cases of coronavirus. Quarantine authorities should do a better at this.
Indeed, we can effectively fight this health threat in the bayanihan spirit.