Zika outbreak: What you need to know

News about zika virus is spreading recently. What is it? Zika is the name of the forest led by
Uganda, which began to discover the virus in 1947. This compares with dengue fever, yellow fever,
Japanese encephalitis and West Niles virus.

Declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) that a public health emergency of
international concern zika the virus, which is now widespread in 29 countries. According to the
Communicable Disease Center of the United States, zika be found in the countries of South America
such as Brazil, Bolivia, Cape Verde. However, there were two recorded cases of zika virus disease in Italy
during the month of February alone. They came on the trip from the country of French Polynesia. It's
possible they got the Asian lineage strain of zika virus. Which this virus has a 2 lineage: African and Asian
lineage.

Zika virus disease is caused by a virus zika (member of the Flavivirus family), a virus that brings a
kind of female Aedes aegypti, where this type of mosquito is also the one that causes the disease
Dengue fever. Common symptoms of the disease are like the dengue-like symptoms but negative for
dengue test. Persons with this disease may experience fever, rashes, joint pain, and redness of the eyes
like conjunctivitis. These symptoms usually last from several days to a week. It was evaluated by blood,
urine or saliva if positive zika virus RNA.

Initially, the monkeys (rhesus monkeys) are the only who able for the transmission of this virus
(mosquito-monkey-mosquito cycle), until the year 1952, recorded infection in humans (human-
mosquito-mosquito cycle).

One way to spread the virus is through the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus from one person
to another person. The virus is also transmitted through unprotected sex, blood transfusion, and
pregnancy.

It is of great concern for the authorities because it can contaminate a pregnant and their baby
especially in their first trimester of pregnancy that causes the possibility of miscarriage or microcephaly.
The microcephaly is the complications caused by the virus zika pregnant. It is the small or abnormal
sized of the baby's head having a not fully developed the brain. Eventually, it is fatal.

Apart from microcephaly, patients may also have problems with the central nervous system.
Police also relates zika virus to Guillain-Barre Syndrome- an autoimmune disorder that affects the
degeneration of muscles, where numb feet, legs, and hands may feel at the beginning; weakness of the
foot to weaken the whole body; leg cramps; difficulty in breathing, speaking or swallowing; and,
abnormality at urination or bowel.

There is no current cure for the virus zika disease. But it medications could be take for the
abolition of fever such as Paracetamol. Avoid taking Aspirin or UNSAIDs reason to prevent bleeding in
case of positive laboratory test dengue fever. Drink plenty of water. And it is better for the body to rest.
 Make every effort to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Wear long pants and coat. Choose thick
coat that never reaches the mosquito bites. Apply insect repellant or lotion against mosquitoes. Use a
mosquito net or put screens on windows. Eliminate the places where mosquitoes can infest areas that is
not covered with water. Spray insecticide. And for pregnant or plan to become pregnant, do not to
travel to countries with zika virus are positive.

However, possible release of the vaccine for zika may come at the end of this year. However,
the vaccine is for emergency use only clarified by the Canadian Scientist Gary Kobinger, developer and
part of the consortium working for releasing the vaccine. The first stage, the vaccine will be test in
August and when the test succeed when the testing will be used in public health emergency in October
or November, he said.
 Dengue Fever Prevention and Health Information

Philippines is tropical country and because of it rainy seasons are often and at the same time the
appearance of different types of disease including dengue. But how are we going to prevent this?

Causative agent

Dengue fever is an acute infection caused by mosquitoes and caused by the dengue virus. It is
found in tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. For instance, dengue fever is an endemic disease
many Southeast Asian countries. The dengue virus covers 4 different serotypes, where each of which
can lead to fever Dengue and severe dengue (also called dengue fever that causes bleeding or dengue
hemorrhagic fever ').

Dengue features

The dengue fever is characterized clinically by the sudden advent of high fever, severe
headache, pain behind the eyes, pain muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea and rashes. People
with infection may not show dramatically symptoms, and some may have only mild symptoms such as
fever. The children can show more subtle symptoms like pain fever with rash.

The first symptoms of infection are usually mild. In the moment recovery, immunity to the
serotype of the virus Dengue is generated but the subsequent infection with another serotype of
dengue virus is more likely to result in severe dengue. The Severe dengue is a serious and potentially
fatal complications dengue fever. The Severe dengue include the symptoms of having a high fever, that
takes 2-7 days and can be increased up to 40 - 41oC, redness of the face and other non-specific
symptoms in the body of fever dengue. Eventually, it may be accompanied by bleeding like bruises on
skin, bleeding nose or gums, and possibly internal bleeding inside the body. On severe cases, it can lead
to failure of the blood circulation, shock and death.

Mode of transmission

The dengue fever is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Aedes
mosquito. When a patient suffering from dengue fever was bitten by a carrier mosquito, the mosquito
may carry the infection and spread the disease by biting other people.

Dengue in Philippines

In the Philippines, despite the availability of a vaccine, the number of dengue cases increased by
35.7 percent in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.

The Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau recorded a total of 57,026 dengue cases
from January to June 25 this year, which is way above the 42,026 cases posted during the same period a
year ago. Of the total cases, 248 have died.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial has warned of a possible rise in cases of dengue with the onset of
the rainy season.
 Last February, the world’s first dengue vaccine was made available in the local market and the
DOH immediately launched the school-based dengue immunization drive for public school students.

However, the DOH said the vaccine cannot prevent the spread of dengue if the public would not
do the dengue preventive measures which include:

Preventive measures

1. Wear loose, light, long-sleeved tops and lower clothing, and use of insecticide containing DEET on
prominent part of the body and clothing.

2. Create additional preventive measures when you go out:

Avoid using scented or cosmetic products

Re-apply the insecticide according to instructions

3. Special notes when traveling abroad:

If you go to the affected areas or countries, see a doctor at least 6 weeks prior to travel, and
have extra preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites

During the trip, whether traveling to endemic areas countryside, bring mosquito nets and use of
permethrin (a insecticide). The Permethrin should NOT be applied to skin. Ask for medical attention as
early as possible in having a bad feeling.

T he travelers that return from affected areas and having bad feeling, should seek medical
advice as soon as possible, and provide details of the trip to the doctor.

Help prevent mosquito proliferation

1. Avoid accumulation of stagnant water

Change the water in the vase once a week

Remove the water in the saucer under a potted plant per week

Cover thoroughly containers with water

Ensure that the air-conditioner drip tray has no stagnant water

Place all used cans and bottles to a covered garbage bag

2. Control the carrier and reservoir of the disease

Keep food and dispose of waste properly

Together with its School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (SDRRMC), Tanauan
City National High school performed an earthquake drill to show its support to the 2nd Quarter National
Simultaneous Earthquake Drill.

The activity aims to provide awareness to students and teachers together with the whole
community on what to do before, during and after an earthquake and also meant to assess the capacity
level of the school and the community in the eventuality of disasters and emergencies.

Almost 3000 students and teachers of Tanauan City National High school has participated with
the activity led by (SDRRMC) together with its personnel.

The drill starts with a 1-minute alarm that indicates earthquake or shaking. While the alarm is
ongoing, everyone should do “duck, cover and hold” until the “shaking” stops. They will then be asked
to proceed to a designated evacuation area and were given instructions and reminders on how to better
improve communication and coordination mechanisms in the region especially during emergency.

The activity is pursuant to Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 48, s. 2012 or the
Quarterly Conduct of the National School-Based Earthquake and Fire Drills.

The (SDRRMC) implanted also several sign and poster that contains information about safety
incase a true earthquake strikes the area.

After this earthquake drill, lesser casualties will be expected if ever an actual disaster strikes and
everyone will know what they will do in case earthquake strikes. . Students are expected to share what
they learn during the drill to their families and to the community.
 WALK OF SHAME: The Step of Tanauan City for War on Drugs

Tanauan City, Batangas is known for its own way of war on drugs, the controversial “walk of
shame” was recently spreading as a unique way of war on drugs was supported and started by the city
mayor Antonio “Thony” C. Halili.

The “walk of Shame” includes the parading of drug pusher and users around the city while
wearing signs written with “Ako ay pusher, huwag tularan (I am a drug pusher, don’t imitate me)” as a
punishment.

This last May 2016, another “walk of Shame” was conducted having the theme of “Flores
de Pusher,” which parodies the traditional “Flores de Mayo” festival,)” where 11 suspects are paraded
around the city. The 11 suspects were arrested in two successive raids carried out by the Mayor’s Anti-
Crime Group (MACG) in Barangay Poblacion 3 and 4.

Following last month's Santacruzan-style walk of shame dubbed “Flores de Pusher". Mayor Halili
paraded seven suspected drug pushers and users around Tanauan City in Batangas as part of the “Junes
Bride and Groom”. The mayor's men were also seen holding wooden arches indicating this month's
theme: “June Bride & Groom – Flavor of the Month."

According to the updates on Tanauan City's Facebook page, the Mayor’s Anti-Crime Group, led
by Allan Fajardo, they conducted a week-long surveillance and a buy-bust operation before arresting the
suspects.
Mayor Thoni Halili had also summoned and warned the known drug pushers to stop their illegal
drug trade or face the consequences, according to the Tanauan City Public Information Office.

Even though the mayor recognizes that not everyone agrees with his methods. Kapag nakita
kong hindi effective, 'edi titigilan ko," he said in an ABS-CBN report. "Pero pag nakikita kong
nababawasan dito yung taong involved sa drugs, eh itutuloy natin."("If I see that it's not effective, I'll
stop it. But if I see that it helps curb drug crimes, we'll keep on doing it.") added by Mayor Halili.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has already sent a quick response team to investigate.
Last May, they made recommendations to the ombudsman to file an administrative case against mayor
Halili for abuse of power in relation to the first two incidents of "walk of shame."

But despite of the bucking criticism, Tanauan Mayor Antonio “Thony” Halili refused to budge
from a controversial walk of shame for drug suspects and dared the Commission on Human Rights to file
charges against him. Halili also told the media that his tough anti-crime stance would remain as long as
he was the city’s chief executive as he vowed to “discharge my duties as mayor and take care of my
constituency.”
 Pinoy’s Pride Shines at the World Robot Games in Indonesia

After the flight to Indonesia, Philippines Robotics team brings pride to the country after bucking
the odds to beat their Asian rival and captured the title of 2nd World Robot Games 2016 Bandung,
Indonesia.

Having a 2 months of training and having the fund given by SEF from City Office. The Robotics
team led by Mr. Philip Caesar Juan and Mrs. Mary Ann Clanor claim their title as the champion of
Innovative and Robot in Movie after reaching the entry for the 2nd Quarter finals.

Presenting their own made video about how Robots will be useful to humans when disaster
comes, the Philippines’ Robotics team had a glorious outcome and an autonomous win.

The Philippines, represented by 95 playing delegates, racked up 47 medals. The 86-strong Thai
team won the overall country championship with the highest number of gold medals received while
Indonesia fielded in the most number of participants at 130.

Singapore had 12 delegates and bagged three gold medals.

The WRG is the first of its kind in robotic games history. Not only does it promote science,
technology and innovation but it also promotes cultural exchanges among different countries. The field
included students, teachers, coaches, researchers and even parents.

The other categories were Fire Fighting, RC Underwater, Search and Rescue, Innovative and
Robot in Movie with age categories for juniors, seniors, team, professional and family.

Aside from winning the Philippines’ Robotics team is now preparing for their big journey to
Australia for a new competition.
 Division’s Press Conferences: City Henyos Stand out on Science and Development Writing

City Henyos brings bacon to their school, Tanauan City Highschool, after winning and getting a
place on Science and Development Writing in the Division’s Press Conferences.

The Grade 10 Student, Jed L. Soberano emerged to the victory after beating some of his rivals
and getting the 4th place for the Science and Development Writing Filipino category.

Together with his co-science journalist, Jieo Franco Vicencio, a grade 9 student who won the 6th
place for the Science and Development Writing English category.

Having their featured article about zika virus, judged by Mr. Alvin Hizon, a popular journalist.
They achieved an award and pride for their school.

Getting the achieved place, this 2 student will compete for the Regional’s Press Conference that
will be held on this coming December at Batangas City.