DOH: Two kids tested positive for Enterovirus

A Chinese teacher sprays disinfectant into the mouth of a child infected with the virus called enterovirus 71, or EV71, in Hefei, eastern China's Anhui province in 2008.  AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Two children have tested positive for  Enterovirus (EV) in the Philippines, a report from Radyo Inquirer 990AM said Tuesday.

Citing the Department of Health’s confirmation of the report, assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag was quoted as saying that two of the seven specimens submitted for testing at the  Research Institute for Tropical Medicine were found positive of the virus.

The two children are both in good conditions, Tayag was quoted as saying.

The report also said that enterovirus, and the mild hand, foot and mouth disease affects millions of people around the world in a year, but added that the virus that hit the Philippines is “not fatal and is a self-limiting illness,” thus, should not alarm the public.

Meanwhile, Tayag was also quoted as saying that no travel restrictions have been imposed by the country for passengers going to and travelling back from Cambodia.

Enterovirus 71 has caused the death of more than 50 children in Cambodia.