Latest news with #DOH
GMA Network
7 hours ago
- Health
- GMA Network
VP Sara Duterte calls for community action vs dengue
The dengue virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. File photo Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday called on the nation to adhere to ways to help combat the spread of dengue in the country. In light of Dengue Awareness Month this June, Duterte underscored the importance of supporting the Department of Health's (DOH) campaign against dengue—a mosquito-borne viral infection which is common in countries with tropical climates like the Philippines. 'Nakakamatay po ang sakit na dala ng lamok na may dengue na maaaring namumugad sa ating mga pamamahay at mga komunidad. Lahat tayo ay nanganganib na maging biktima ng sakit na ito,' the vice president said in a video message. (This disease caused by dengue-carrying mosquitoes that can breed in our homes and communities is deadly. We are all at risk of being victims of this disease.) 'Magkaisa po tayo sa adhikain na makontrol ang pagdami o paglaganap ng mga lamok na may dalang dengue,' she added. (Let's unite in the campaign to mitigate the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.) READ: EXPLAINER: Why public should beware of dengue As part of preventive measures against the disease, Duterte encouraged the public to ensure that mosquito breeding grounds such as drums and pots are clean and free of water. She also urged participation in clean-up drives in communities. She also noted that people could prevent getting dengue by putting up window and door screens and mosquito nets, as well as wearing pants and shirts with long sleeves. In April, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said that the Philippines may face a dengue outbreak this year. The most common symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea, and rashes. Some people may also get pain behind the eyes, vomiting, and swollen glands. These symptoms, the DOH said, start four to 10 days after exposure from a mosquito bite, and can last for two to seven days. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH launches online Patient Appointment System for check-ups
The Department of Health (DOH) has launched the Patient Appointment System (PAS) for more convenient scheduling of medical check-ups. 'Ito, at least, alam mo na hindi ka masasayangan ng pagbiyahe. Wala kang takot kasi secured na 'yung appointment mo,' Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said. (Using this would save you travel time since your appointment is secured.) The PAS is currently open to three DOH hospitals in Manila: Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, and Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital. DOH said securing appointments using PAS could take about two to three minutes. Here are the steps to using PAS: 1. Visit 2. Confirm that you agree to use the PAS 3. Choose a hospital and the needed service 4. Choose the desired time and date of your appointment 5. Fill out the needed information and screenshot it before submitting 6. Go to the hospital and show the screenshot of your appointment —Mariel Celine Serquiña/KG, GMA Integrated News
Newsweek
a day ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Health Officials Confirm Virus in Popular Vacation Destination
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a travel-related case of Zika virus on Oahu and identified two others who may have been exposed, prompting a public warning to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate breeding grounds. Newsweek has reached out to the Hawaii DOH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for comment via email. Why It Matters Zika is predominantly spread by an infected Aedes species mosquito, although the CDC notes that it can also spread through sex or to a fetus during pregnancy. There is no vaccine to prevent or treat Zika virus at this time. An infection known to cause birth defects, Zika gained national attention in 2015 when a cluster of cases in Brazil produced an uptick in babies born with abnormally small heads. Oahu is a popular tourist destination that is home to numerous beaches, volcanos, and Peal Harbor, among other attractions. What To Know In a May 27 press release, Hawaii's DOH confirmed that an individual on the Oahu Island has Zika virus. The department is calling upon residents, visitors, and businesses to prevent the virus by taking certain precautions such as: Applying insect repellent (Use products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency that contain 20–30% DEET) Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants Keep mosquitos out of homes and businesses by ensuring screens are intact and doors are kept closed Remove standing water around home and buildings Zika virus symptoms are typically mild and may include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain. Most people don't know if they contract Zika and about one in five people with Zika have mild symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, the virus is most concerning for pregnant woman as it can prevent the "fetus's brain from developing properly" the CDC states. Health officials recommend using protection during sexual activity to limit the potential spread of the virus. The most recent travel-related case in Hawaii was reported in 2019, the Hawaii DOH said in the press release. Zika outbreaks were much more common years ago, with an epidemic between 2014 and 2017 in the Americas. A mosquito feeds at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District on July 26, 2023, in Salt Lake City. A mosquito feeds at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District on July 26, 2023, in Salt Lake City. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer What People Are Saying The official Nobel Prize X, formerly Twitter, account wrote on May 13: "There are now new opportunities for the development of future vaccines against influenza, Zika, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), thanks to the work of two Nobel Prize laureates who developed mRNA technology to produce COVID-19 vaccines in a remarkably short timeframe." What Happens Next "Vector control teams" have been dispatched to the area around where the individual was, including Haleiwa. While there is currently no specific treatment for Zika virus, multiple vaccine candidates are currently in development.
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH warns vs. false social media posts on mpox, 'lockdowns'
An undated colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (pink) found within an infected cell (yellow), cultured in the laboratory, captured at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. NIAID/ Handout via REUTERS The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday warned the public against misleading social media posts on the transmission of monkeypox (mpox) and that supposed lockdowns have been implemented in the country to contain the virus. DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Dr. Albert Domingo asked the public to reject such information, stressing that mpox numbers in May have actually declined compared to cases logged in April 2025. "Huwag paniwalaan ang mga kumakalat na pekeng Facebook post na may mapanlinlang na marketing strategy, pekeng endorsement mula sa mga eksperto, at hindi makatotohanang mga pahayag tungkol sa kalusugan," Domingo said in an audio statement. (Do not believe fake Facebook posts making rounds on the internet that use deceptive marketing strategies, fake endorsements from experts, and false health claims.) Domingo added that there was no need to implement any lockdown, since mpox is not spread through air particles. "Walang pangangailangang magkaroon ng lockdown dahil sa mpox, dahil hindi ito airborne (There is no need for a lockdown due to mpox because it is not airborne)," Domingo said. According to Domingo, the DOH has coordinated with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to take down the misleading accounts. In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday, Domingo said the wearing of face masks—as imposed by some local government units (LGUs)—will not prevent the spread of mpox because the virus is transmitted through skin to skin or close contact. Local government units may coordinate with the DOH, Domingo said, to check the precautions needed to the transmission of diseases. Allaying fears of a rising trend, Domingo said mpox cases were higher in 2024, and that the figure for May 2025 was lower compared to April 2025. The fight against mpox has gained traction, Domingo said, as several LGUs have stepped up their efforts. "Nagkataon lamang po na nage-headline dahil aktibo at nag-a-anunsyo na ngayon ang mga LGU," Domingo said. (It just so happened that it's making headlines now because LGUs have become more active and have been issuing announcements.) According to the DOH, the country has yet to detect a case of the more severe mpox clade 1B. "Wala pa ring mpox ng clade 1B na nakikita dito sa Pilipinas. Panay clade 2 ang meron natin. Mas mababa ang mortality o pagkamatay ng clade 2. Nasa mga 1 sa bawat 10, kumpara sa 4 hanggang 5 ng clade 1B," Domingo said. (We have not detected any clade 1B mpox cases in the Philippines. What we have are clade 2 cases, which have a lower mortality rate of about 1 out of 10. In comparison, deaths from clade 1B are about 4 or 5 [out of 10.]) He advised the public to get accurate health information from the DOH website and social media accounts. Also in his interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Domingo said over 50 mpox cases were recorded in April, as compared to less than 50 this May. He added that some previously reported mpox cases were later verified to be chicken pox. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Filipino Times
DOH: Recent mpox cases in PH still from mild, self-limiting variant
All recently reported mpox cases in the country were caused by a milder strain of the virus, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified. 'There are LGUs reporting mpox, but I have to declare, all of them are mpox clade II,' said Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, referring to the same variant that caused confirmed cases in 2023 and 2024. He described this strain as 'very mild and self-limiting.' Clade II differs from the more infectious clade Ib, which was responsible for the mpox surge in parts of Africa and was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization last year. Given the current situation, Herbosa said there will be no new nationwide restrictions. 'We have an mpox task force. We are having surveillance,' he said, assuring the public that authorities are closely monitoring cases to prevent the entry of the more severe clade Ib. In recent weeks, mpox cases have been reported in parts of southern Philippines, particularly in Davao del Sur and Compostela in Davao de Oro, prompting local governments to enforce health measures such as mask-wearing and physical distancing. Davao City, however, denied online rumors of any community lockdown following an increase in confirmed mpox cases, which have now reached six. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease that spreads primarily through close physical contact, including sexual contact, and is not airborne. 'It's very important to isolate, and once recovered, hopefully, there will be no complications,' Herbosa said. The Philippines recorded 52 mpox cases in 2024, including one death, which the DOH said may have been due to complications from the disease.
