Manila: The Philippines remains at low risk for the rare and highly fatal Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, with screening and border monitoring deemed more effective than imposing travel restrictions, an infectious disease expert said on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, San Lazaro Hospital infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said the World Health Organization's (WHO) recent declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern is crucial due to the virus' rapid transmission and severe mortality rate in Africa.
"Malaking bagay ito na pag-declare nila dahil nga itong Ebola ngayon lumalabas na doon sa ibang bansa na malapit sa Congo at saka Uganda. Panglawa, mataas ang mortality rate, so out of 300 cases yata, almost 100-plus na ang namamatay in just the span of mga two weeks (This declaration is highly significant because Ebola is now spreading to countries adjacent to Congo and Uganda. Furthermore, the mortality rate is high; out of approximately 300 documented cases, over 100 fatalities have been recorded in just a span of two weeks)," he said.
He noted that the Bundibugyo strain is rare and currently has no available vaccine.
Despite the global alarm, Solante assured the public that the Philippines is not a high-risk country unless an infected individual slips through the borders.
"Pero mayroon naman tayong mga ginagawa base dito sa report ng Department of Health na iyong sa pagpasok pa lang, mga border control, sinusuri iyong may mga lagnat, may mga sintomas at anong mga bansa ang pinanggalingan (However, we are actively implementing measures based on the Department of Health's report. Right at the points of entry, our border controls are screening passengers for fevers and other symptoms, while thoroughly reviewing their travel histories and countries of origin)," he said.
When asked about calls to implement travel bans on affected African nations, Solante favored rigorous health screening over locking down borders, drawing from protocols used during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
"Kasi nasanay na tayo dito, mayroon na tayong mga napulot na mga aral na we need to also give an advise doon sa mga nagta-travel (Because we are already accustomed to managing these situations, we have gathered valuable lessons that now allow us to provide timely travel advisories to our outbound and inbound passengers)," he said.
"Handa naman siguro tayo kasi nalampasan na natin iyong COVID [coronavirus disease], nalampasan na natin iyong mga iba't ibang outbreak, hanggang ngayon marami na tayong mga lessons natutunan doon at any time na may mga ganitong outbreak ay malaking bagay iyong mga natutunan natin at kailangan lang nating i-reinforce ulit (We are likely prepared given that we have successfully navigated COVID and various other outbreaks, to date, we have gathered numerous lessons, and in the event of another outbreak, these insights will be invaluable - we simply need to reinforce them)," he added.
He also cited the availability of isolation rooms, personal protective equipment, and the diagnostic capabilities of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
Overseas Filipino workers and peacekeepers stationed in Africa were urged to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms, rather than dismissing them as an ordinary illness.
Health experts describe the Bundibugyo strain as a type of hemorrhagic fever, sharing clinical symptoms with the more common Zaire strain. It causes fever, headaches, body malaise, vomiting, and severe internal and external bleeding, which ultimately causes death.
To maintain public order and safety, Solante advised the general population to remain calm and depend strictly on verified sources.
