THE Department of Health on Monday reported the first pregnant Zika victim in the Philippines.
Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said the 22-year-old woman, who is 19 weeks pregnant with her first child, would be monitored regularly during the entire period of her pregnancy.
An initial ultrasound did not detect any fetal abnormalities, she said.
While the Zika virus is non-fatal to the general population, Ubial said it can result in babies with small heads—a condition called microcephaly—and other brain defects.
The pregnant woman is among the three latest Zika cases, which brought to 12 the total number of local infections.
Ubial said all the 12 cases—with ages ranging from 9 to 55—were reported this month after tests conducted at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
Eight of the victims were females. Ten were from Western Visayas, one was from Central Visayas and one was from Metro Manila.
The Health secretary said the cases did not have a history of travel to an affected country a month before the onset of their illness.
However, the DoH has yet to establish if the virus had been transmitted through other means like sexual intercourse, a needle prick, or blood donations in the recent cases.
All of the confirmed cases experienced skin rashes with any one of the following: fever, muscle or joint pains, or conjunctivitis without eye discharge. All have recovered from their mild illness.
DoH quick response teams were sent to affected areas to conduct case investigations and to recommend specific measures to prevent the virus from spreading further. Iloilo City is carrying out indoor residual spraying coupled with fogging in affected and high-risk areas to reduce adult mosquito density. Efforts were also made to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. People were advised to avoid mosquito bites by applying insect repellent over exposed areas at least a week after onset of their illness.
Zika Virus Disease is primarily transmitted via mosquito bites. The Aedes Aegypti is responsible for spreading Zika virus and also Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. In Brazil and other countries, pregnant women who got infected at anytime during their pregnancy have increased risk of giving birth to babies with congenital defects affecting the brain. Sexual transmission was also reported as another means of getting the Zika virus.
Ubial renewed her call to local government units to be vigorous in getting households to destroy mosquito breeding sites, commonly seen inside and around homes.
Pregnant women may use insect repellent.
Any individual who presents with skin rash and any other symptom should visit the nearest facility to rule out Zika infections.
Zika can be mistaken for Measles, Dengue or Chikungunya. A laboratory test is needed to confirm them. Pregnant women should follow the advice of their doctors on the risks associated with Zika and on ways to prevent Zika infection.
“We must remember that all these ailments—Zika, Dengue and Chikunguya, came from mosquitoes. We must all remember four things to avoid mosquitoes. The 4S means 1) Search and destroy mosquito breeding places, 2) Self-protection measures like using insect repellent and mosquito bed nets especially at day time, as well as the use of condom for protection against this sexually transmitted infection, 3) Seek early consultation for skin rashes and fever, joint pain or red eyes, and 4) Say Yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak.
Ubial urged everyone to implement the 4S in their communities to protect their families and loved ones.