Latest news with #ChinoGaston
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH monitoring mild variant of monkeypox in PH
The Department of Health (DOH) allayed the fears of the public as the monkeypox cases being monitored in the country are of Clade II variant, the mild variant of the said disease. According to Chino Gaston's report in '24 Oras' on Friday, the DOH, however, assured that it is on guard to prevent the entry of the more transmissible Clade 1b variant to the country. 'All of them are mpox Clade II. Wala pa kaming nakitang mpox Clade 1b sa Pilipinas. Yung [Clade] II, very mild, self-limiting, at tsaka ang transmission niya ay skin-to-skin contact,' said Health Secretary Ted Herbosa. (All of them are mpox Clade II. We have yet to monitor any mpox Clade 1b in the Philippines. The Clade II variant is very mild, self-limiting, and the transmission is only through skin-to-skin contact.) The DOH chief added that some of the fatalities it recorded did not die of mpox, but due to complications brought about by advanced human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. The latest mpox case logged was a resident from Maco, Davao de Oro. The patient has already recovered, but there were two other suspected cases in Maco and in Nabunturan. Another case was also reported in Iloilo Province but was also declared recovered by the provincial health office. In Iloilo City, on the other hand, four individuals are under isolation and monitoring due to suspected infection. Meanwhile, the local authorities in Bacolod City will strictly monitor hotels, spas, wet markets, and terminals to prevent any outbreaks. Among the symptoms to watch out for include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last two to four weeks. The rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. There is no cure to mpox for now, but isolation, proper care, and rest for up to four weeks would suffice for recovery. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PHIVOLCS satisfied with public's earthquake awareness
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) expressed satisfaction that more people are knowledgeable about earthquake response in the wake of the magnitude 4.6 temblor that hit Quezon Province on Tuesday. In Chino Gaston's report on '24 Oras,' MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 operations were temporarily halted as the earthquake was also felt in some parts of Metro Manila past noon. Train tracks were inspected before the resumption of operations. After the earthquake, employees in the Senate, Malacañang, House of Representatives, Commission on Elections, and the Department of Justice were seen calmly evacuating. According to PHIVOLCS, the earthquake's epicenter was located 25 kilometers from General Nakar, Quezon. It lasted for seconds. There have also been no reported casualties or damaged properties so far. 'Ang source po nito ay tectonic. So, may gumalaw po na fault. Hindi natin alam kung anong fault ito. Pwede po natin tawagin local fault. Ibig sabihin local dun sa lugar na iyon. Wala naman po itong kinalaman sa mga paggalaw na iba pang faults,' said Winchelle Ian Sevilla, PHIVOLCS seismology division chief. (The source is tectonic. A fault moved, but we do not know which fault. We can call this a local fault, meaning it is local to the area. It is not related to the movement of other faults.) PHIVOLCS said it is pleased that more people are aware of what to do during an earthquake. 'Mahalaga po dito ang ating mga paghahanda, lalo na ang pakikilahok po natin sa mga earthquake drills upang at least aware po tayo kung ano ang nararapat natin gawin kung sakaling magkakaroon ng isang malakas na lindol. Kailangan natin masigurado na yung ating mga built structures, halimbawa po bahay, buildings, mga hospitals, ito po ay sound po. Ibig sabihin matibay sumunod po sa building code,' Sevilla said. (It's important to prepare, especially in participating in the earthquake drills to at least be aware of what to do should there be an earthquake. We also need to ensure that our structures are sound, sturdy, and follow the building code.) The Office of Civil Defense has been preparing for a strong earthquake, or the Big One, that may affect the eastern section of Metro Manila once there is a massive movement in the West Valley Fault. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Heavy rains trigger flash floods in parts of Mindanao; two dead
Despite the absence of any storm, continuous rain has caused flash floods in parts of Mindanao, leading to the deaths of two individuals who were swept away while bathing in a waterfall. In a report by Chino Gaston for 24 Oras, residents of Barangay Kakub in Koronadal City were startled after witnessing a woman being carried away by a raging stream. According to locals, the sudden surge of water came from a nearby waterfall and its adjoining creek. A few minutes later, the woman's body was found roughly two kilometers downstream. Shortly afterward, a man was also found lifeless in the creek. Residents quickly worked together to retrieve him. Both victims sustained head injuries and other wounds, likely caused by being slammed into rocks and debris as they were swept by the current. Initial investigations revealed that the two—identified as acquaintances, one a teacher and the other a delivery rider—were bathing in the upper part of the creek when a sudden surge of water occurred. Authorities believe the rapid rise in water level was caused by heavy rainfall and worsening weather conditions. In Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, strong currents rendered some roads impassable. Heavy rains caused a nearby creek to overflow, submerging roads and leaving motorists stranded for over an hour. Meanwhile, in Barangay Lasang, Davao City, parts of the National Highway became impassable due to the overflow of the Licanan River. The situation worsened as it coincided with high tide. More than 20 families living near the riverbanks in Sitios Licanan, Aris, Lituan, and Virgo were affected. Floodwaters also inundated Barangay Bunawan Proper, displacing around 69 families. State weather bureau PAGASA said the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is responsible for the current bad weather affecting Mindanao. Authorities are urging residents in flood-prone areas to stay alert and take necessary precautions. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News
