BACOLOD City — The City Health Office (CHO) here has been urged to work closely with the Department of Health (DOH) and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance and preparedness measures against the Nipah virus, citing lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councilor Em Ang, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Health, said the CHO must ensure close coordination with the DOH to enhance disease monitoring and response systems.
“Our CHO must work closely with the DOH and other stakeholders to ensure that our surveillance systems are strengthened, that healthcare providers are equipped to detect and respond to potential cases, and that suspected cases are immediately reported,” Ang said.
She also stressed the importance of educating the public on the risks of the disease and the necessary preventive measures.
Ang expressed agreement with a recent statement by Senator Francis Escudero, who emphasized that early detection and transparent reporting remain the strongest defenses against emerging health threats.
“Early detection is our strongest defense against the threat of the Nipah virus,” Ang said. “Drawing from our experience with COVID-19, we understand the importance of being proactive and vigilant in monitoring and responding to emerging health threats.”
While the DOH has assured local officials that robust border screening measures are in place — including online health declarations, thermal scanning, and trained observation of travelers at entry points — Ang emphasized that these measures alone are not sufficient without strong coordination at the local level, particularly with the DOH.
Escudero urged health and border authorities to maintain strict vigilance and ensure that preparedness systems remain fully operational, noting that although the Philippines is currently considered low risk, developments in neighboring regions underscore the need for sustained and proactive monitoring.
He called on the DOH and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) to keep border health protocols fully activated, including thermal scanning, symptom monitoring, and clear guidance for arriving passengers, to prevent the entry and spread of high-risk pathogens.
The senator also underscored the importance of strong inter-agency coordination among health, transport, and local government units.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Infected individuals may develop fever and symptoms affecting the brain, such as headache and confusion, or the lungs, including cough and difficulty breathing.
Nipah virus infections were first reported in 1998 and have since been recorded in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. The WHO estimates the case fatality rate to range from 40 to 75 percent.
There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for the Nipah virus, although several candidate products are under development. The WHO noted that early intensive supportive care can significantly improve survival./PN
