By Katrina Gracia Consebido
A health expert on infectious diseases said the preparations against the entry and threat of the Marburg virus in the country are similar to the measures implemented against the Ebola disease.
arDr. Rontgene Solante said in the July 20 Laging Handa briefing that Philippine health authorities are always preparing for emerging infectious diseases to ensure that healthcare facilities can respond to such cases.
“With our experience in the preparation of the Ebola, magkakapareho lang ang mga recommendation and policy on how to handle it, how to contain it, and how to prevent it,” he said.
Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier assured that they are continuously monitoring the virus despite its low chance of entering the country.
It was first confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the Marburg virus outbreak occurred in Ghana with two recorded fatalities. -ag