DOH: PHL scarlet fever free; other diseases hound Cotabato

International and Filipino health experts said Thursday that travel to and from Hong Kong should not be restricted amid an outbreak of scarlet fever in the territory even as local authorities called on pediatricians to report possible cases of scarlet fever in the Philippines. “There is no need for the moment to issue travel advisories related to Hong Kong and scarlet fever. Travel advisories impact on economies which in turn hurt people," said Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, World Health Organization (WHO) representative in the Philippines. “Scarlet fever has a low risk for international spread at this time. But we are continuing to monitor the situation in Hong Kong as it evolves," Health Assistant Secretary Enrique A. Tayag, said. The Department of Health (DOH) spokesman also pointed out there is no reported case yet of scarlet fever in the Philippines. Zero cases among travelers In a report, GMA News’ Kara David on “24 Oras," said the Bureau of Quarantine confirmed that no traveler with scarlet fever has so far entered the country.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV A DOH advisory said scarlet fever is a disease caused by bacteria called Group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus, the same bacteria causing throat infection. People with scarlet fever typically have high fever, strawberry-like appearance of the tongue, and skin rashes. It is a “childhood disease" common to children below 10 years old and should be contained 24 hours after antibiotics is administered, according to the Health official. Tayag also noted that Hong Kong hosts tens of thousands of Filipino workers and professionals who regularly visit the Philippines. “Filipinos are free to travel in and out of Hong Kong. It is not necessary to issue travel advisories in connection with the scarlet fever outbreak in the territory," he said. Tayag called on pediatricians to report possible scarlet fever cases although the disease is not listed officially in the registry of notifiable diseases such as dengue, leptospirosis, measles, infectious diarrhea, and diphtheria. 27,000 evacuees Meanwhile, other forms of diseases have spread at evacuation centers in Cotabato City in Mindanao. (Based on a June 23 report by the Cotabato City Health Office, Tayag said four deaths were recorded. Two drowned while severe dehydration caused the deaths of two more.) “Disease surveillance and monitoring of cases will be done daily in evacuation camps to avert any possible epidemic," Ona said. Regional health workers are giving measles and rubella vaccines to evacuees below 15 years old, he added. Ona advised evacuees to practice good personal hygiene and to maintain clean surroundings to prevent the possible spread of diseases. Tayag said there are now 27,730 evacuees in at least 30 centers in Cotabato City. Some 189 have fever, 143 caught acute respiratory tract infections, and 101 suffer from acute diarrhea. Parts of Cotabato City have been submerged in floodwaters for two weeks now due to heavy rainfall and water hyacinth-clogged waterways. — ELR/VS, GMA News