4 new cases of Zika confirmed

Four new cases of Zika virus infection were recorded by the Department of Health (DOH), bringing to 23 the total number of Zika cases in the Philippines this year.

“There are now 23 cases. There are 12 [cases] in Iloilo, one in Muntinlupa, one in Cebu, one in Antipolo, two in Mandaluyong, three in Bacoor, one in Quezon City, one in Calamba, and one in Las Piñas,” Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said yesterday.

None of the new cases involves a pregnant woman.

Ubial noted that there had been no Zika-related deaths.

Symptoms of Zika infection include fever lasting for two to seven days, rashes, joint pain,  conjunctivitis, muscle pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, and vomiting.

The Zika virus is linked to birth defect called microcephaly, a deformation that leads to abnormally small brains and heads in babies born to mothers infected with Zika.

The DOH also said earlier that Zika can also cause other complications such as blindness and hearing loss. —TINA G. SANTOS