‘Little’ risk of hemorrhagic fever virus in PH

Department of Health Philippines | INQUIRER.net file photo

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday saw “little to no risk” of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus reaching the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier declared an outbreak in Iraq after it reported 19 deaths among 111 human cases. The WHO said the virus was commonly transmitted via tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood, tissue and fluids.

Common symptoms of the virus include fever, muscle aches, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes, sensitivity to light nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sore throat, among others. —JOHN ERIC MENDOZA