By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(January 5, 2025) — Sen. Francis Tolentino on Saturday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to intensify the information campaign regarding the unverified viral outbreak in China amid growing public concern.
Netizens were alarmed by reports that swiftly circulated on social media alleging China has declared a state of emergency due to an “overwhelming surge in respiratory illnesses.”
Last Friday, the DOH refuted the claims, saying the World Health Organization (WHO) has yet to confirm the international health concern allegedly caused by the human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
ALSO READ: DOH on alleged int’l health concern: There is no confirmation from WHO
Tolentino stressed that the country’s health agency must still ensure Filipinos are knowledgeable of HMPV.
“Dapat laging nangunguna ang DOH pagdating sa mga isyung may kinalaman sa kalusugan at kaligtasan ng publiko,” said Tolentino, the Senate majority leader, in a media release.
“Ito’y para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng maling impormasyon, na kung minsan ay mas masahol pa sa isang tunay na outbreak.”
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HMPV can cause respiratory disease in individuals of any age with weakened immune systems.
The symptoms include coughing, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. The virus spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, or by touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
While there is no vaccine to prevent HMPV, people could lower the risk of getting infected by washing their hands, cleaning surfaces, and staying at home when sick.
“Mahalaga na ang impormasyon ukol sa HMPV ay nakukuha ng publiko mula sa DOH, at hindi sa kung saan-saang social media posts na wala namang maayos na batayan,” said Tolentino.
China was where the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic began in December 2019.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte placed the Philippines among the longest lockdowns in the world to curb COVID-19, with the country’s healthcare system being crippled.
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