MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday allayed fears on the emerging bubonic plague in China, noting that the country’s borders remain sealed as it grapples with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a televised press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government is taking the matter “seriously.”
“Sineseryoso po natin ‘yan. Pero huwag po kayong mabahala dahil ang pagpasok naman ng mga dayuhan sa Pilipinas ay hindi pa po pinapayagan ng malawakan, case-to-case basis lang po,” Roque said.
(We take that seriously. But don’t worry because foreigners are only allowed entry to the Philippines on a case-by-case basis.)
“So sarado pa po ang ating mga borders at wala po tayong dapat ikabahala,” he added.
(Our borders are closed so we have nothing to worry about.)
Authorities in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia have already ordered the closure of several tourist spots after a case of bubonic plague was confirmed this week.
Bubonic plague, which is an infection of the lymphatic system is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The bacterium is transmitted through flea bites and infected animals. It is also known for having caused the most deadly pandemic in human history — the Black Death.
The Black Death struck Europe and Asia in the mid-1300s and killed an estimated 50 million people.
Bubonic plague causes painful, swollen lymph nodes, as well as fever, chills, and coughing.
The emergence of the plague came as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, a viral disease that was first detected in the province of Hubei in China late last year.
To date, over 12 million worldwide have been infected with COVID-19, killing nearly 550,000 of those infected.
In the Philippines, COVID-19 has already infected over 50,000 since it was first detected on January 30.