ILOILO — The Iloilo provincial government has intensified quarantine and health surveillance measures at all ports of entry, including the Iloilo International Airport and major seaports, as authorities move to prevent the possible entry of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) amid a growing outbreak in parts of Africa.
The heightened precautions come despite the absence of any confirmed Ebola case in Iloilo Province or anywhere in the Philippines, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO).
In an advisory, the IPHO led by Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon stressed that vigilance remains essential as the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to monitor an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
“No reported case of Ebola in the Philippines, especially in Iloilo but international cooperation and early awareness remain absolutely vital,” the IPHO said.
The provincial government has ordered stricter monitoring of inbound travelers arriving through the airport in Cabatuan town and seaports across the province, with health personnel conducting screening and surveillance procedures to detect possible symptoms among passengers.
“Ang health authorities nagabantay sing maayo sa inbound travelers paagi sa screening kag health surveillance agud maprotektahan ang publiko,” part of the IPHO advisory stated.
Health authorities emphasized that early detection and rapid response remain critical in preventing the spread of the deadly disease.
Quiñon also appealed to the public to cooperate with quarantine protocols and other preventive measures to ensure that infectious diseases from abroad do not enter the province.
Apart from strengthening border health controls, the IPHO has launched an information campaign to educate residents about Ebola and the steps needed to prevent infection.
“Magsunod sa health safety measures bangod nga ang Ebola virus disease isa ka seryoso nga balatian,” the advisory said.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood, vomit, feces, urine, saliva, sweat, and other bodily fluids of infected persons, as well as contaminated objects such as clothing and bedding.
The IPHO urged the public to avoid direct contact with sick individuals and their bodily fluids, seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop, maintain proper hygiene, and follow official health advisories.
Residents experiencing fever, weakness, body pain, vomiting, sore throat, or diarrhea were advised to immediately consult the nearest health facility.
“Ang Ebola indi airborne. Buot silingon, sa direct contact lang ini nagalapta. Magbinantayon. Stay informed. Sa tama nga impormasyon kag pagbinuligay, maprotektahan naton ang aton komunidad kontra Ebola,” the IPHO reminded.
The WHO earlier declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. While it said the outbreak does not yet qualify as a pandemic, it warned that countries bordering Congo face a high risk of further transmission.
The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which WHO has classified as posing a “very high” risk of expanding into a larger national outbreak in Congo.
Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo likewise assured the public that Ebola is not transmitted through the air.
“Hindi siya parang COVID-19… Ang kanyang paraan ay body fluids,” Domingo said.
He explained that symptoms initially include headache, fever, and body pain before progressing to diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.
Domingo noted that more than 50 Ebola outbreaks have been recorded globally since the disease was first identified in 1976.
He also pointed out that while the Philippines recorded Ebola detections in 1989, 1992, 1996, and 2008, those involved the Reston strain, which does not cause illness in humans.
“Ang ating binabantayan ngayon, ang kanyang species naman ay Bundibugyo,” said Domingo.
Ebola remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.
“Mataas ang case fatality rate ng Ebola… Nasa 40% to 50% ang kanyang case fatality rate… Walang gamot laban sa Ebola, walang bakuna para dito sa Bundibugyo,” he said.
Based on WHO data, about 700 suspected Ebola cases have already been recorded in the current outbreak.
“Itong Ebola, medyo naaral na siya… ‘Yung Bundibugyo kaya lang nakakabahala, ngayon lang nakita ‘yung ganitong kalaking outbreak… Du’n sa datos ng WHO, umabot na sa 700 ang suspected case…ngayon lang lumobo nang ganito karami,” Domingo added.
The DOH official said international experts are studying possible treatments, including antiviral drugs such as remdesivir, while urging Filipinos to strengthen their immune systems through proper nutrition, exercise, and healthy living.
“Tamang pagkain, ehersisyo, at disiplina sa katawan. Ang panlaban natin sa anumang virus o bacteria ay ang ating immune system,” Domingo said./PN
