Plague outbreak in PH unlikely, expert says

MANILA – An outbreak of plague in the Philippines is unlikely amid reports of a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia, an infectious disease expert said.

Dr. Nimfa Putong said there is no cause for concern for now because the disease is preventable and treatable, but she urged the public to stay vigilant without panicking.

“Hindi dapat natin ito ikabahala sa ngayon sa Pilipinas… na sa palagay naman natin ay malabong mangyari sa ngayon dahil unang una may gamot na tayo…  dahil ito ay bacteria, ito ay preventable. Ito ay treatable din,” she said.

She said the reported death of a 28-year-old Russian laboratory technician had not been confirmed as plague, noting that Russian authorities described the illness as pneumonia of unknown origin.

“Wala pa naman talagang idineklara na outbreak ng pulmonary plague dito sa Russia. Hindi naman talaga confirmed na ito ay Yersinia pestis pa. Although nakikita natin na 200 ang quarantined, yung mga close contact, at apparently nagbigay na ng cream of prophylaxis yung 7 days. But ang point natin doon, better to err on the error of permission,” Putong said.  

“Maganda yung kahit walang resulta, kahit negative ang result, but with a high degree of suspicion, at least mayroon ng intervention na ginagawa,” she added. 

Putong also said the Department of Health had begun internal preparations despite the World Health Organization’s assessment that the situation did not constitute a public health emergency of international concern.

The DOH is also working with the Bureau of Quarantine to monitor travelers arriving at Philippine seaports and airports from Siberia, Russia, she said. 

PREVENTION MEASURES

A plague is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis, and transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas carried by small mammals, including rodents, Putong explained.

She said plague has three forms: bubonic plague, which affects the lymph nodes; septicemic plague, which spreads through the bloodstream to vital organs; and pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs and can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.

Pneumonic plague can progress quickly and become fatal without swift treatment, she said.

“Pero dito sa pneumonic plague natin, this is very rare. Kailangan mataas ang bacterial load at kailangan ng close contact para makuha ang infection… pero sabi nga natin, still it’s human to human, napakabilis ng sintomas. In 24 hours, kung hindi agad may bibigyan ng tamang gamutan, pwedeng ikamatay,” she said.

Plague can be treated with antibiotics like gentamicin, streptomycin, fluoroquinolones and doxycycline, Putong said. 

If an outbreak occurs, she recommended avoiding crowded places, poorly ventilated enclosed spaces and close contact with people who may be infected.

The disease may initially resemble an acute flu-like illness which causes high fever, headaches and body aches. Within 18 to 24 hours, patients may have difficulty breathing, chest pain and bloody coughs, she said. 

“Pag nakita na natin na nahihirapan na huminga, nawawala na sa sarili, mayroong dugo yung pag-ubo, sumasakit ang dibdib, emergency na ito at kailangang madala sa hospital,” Putong said.