Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Thursday, Dec. 7, that there may be a need to wear face masks again should there be a continued increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases.
“There seems to be a call out to wear face masks again with what is happening in neighboring countries”, he said.
“There are no confirmed cases of walking pneumonia here but just the same we have to monitor this. We will always be guided by the guidance that will be provided by the DOH (Department of Health)” he said.
ILI cases in Negros Occidental increased by 258.93 percent this year, Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said on Tuesday.
There were 2,211 ILI cases reported from Jan. 1 to Dec. 2 this year in the 31 towns and cities of Negros Occidental, compared to 616 cases in 2022, she said.
DOH, in a statement Wednesday, said the four recently reported cases of walking pneumonia in the county are not new.
Only four of the confirmed influenza-like cases from January up to November were due to M. pneumoniae or “Walking Pneumonia”, and all patients have recovered, it said.
“More than half of confirmed ILl cases were due to other well-known and commonly detected pathogens. We have medicines that can treat M. pneumonia, and we can easily prevent its transmission,” the DOH said.
Filipino doctors and medical personnel in our hospitals can treat M. pneumoniae and have the medicines for it, it also said.
“We can prevent transmission of M. pneumoniae and other respiratory pathogens through regular hand washing, masking, ensuring adequate ventilation, and updating our vaccinations,” the DOH said.*