2 new Zika victims bring total number of cases in PH to 35

There are two new cases of Zika virus infection in the country, bringing the total number of cases in the Philippines to 35.

The Department of Health said the two most recent cases of infection are from Makati City and Bacoor in Cavite, both male aged 49 and 50, respectively.

“We continue outbreak investigation and surveillance for symptomatic cases, but focus on pregnant symptomatics. The central strategy is still mosquito control,” said Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial.

It may be recalled that last week, a pregnant 16-year-old girl from Las Piñas City was the second pregnant woman to be infected with the Zika virus.

The girl was in her 32nd week of pregnancy and suffered skin rashes and fever.

Before this, the first pregnant woman to be infected with the virus was a woman from Cebu, who showed no abnormalities in her pregnancy so far.

The Western Visayas currently has the highest number of Zika virus infections in the Philippines with 12 cases. Other regions with Zika virus infections are Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Visayas.

A mosquito-borne disease, the Zika virus is mild and has symptoms similar to dengue such as fever, skin rash, headache, muscle and joint pains, and vomiting.

However, it causes complications in pregnant women such as microcephaly, in which a baby’s head is smaller than those of other babies.