CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–Any information channeled through social media is very fast to spread, which is why it is so important to be responsible, especially when it is about health, said the Department of Health (DOH)-10 in an episode of the Talakayan sa PIA: Konsultayo series at SM CDO Uptown.
Dr. John Daniel Estandarte, medical officer IV, Infectious Diseases Cluster, shared that the Nipah virus was spread in Cagayan de Oro City because of a certain school that used Nipah for their advisory.
“Mao nang apil pud mi nakurat, dili mi gina prepare sa central office about ana, maong nakurat, unsa mani. Nganong nang release man sila ani, [We were also startled because we were not prepared by the Central Office about it; we were really surprised as to why they released such an advisory] akong [my] advice sa [to] institutions that have their autonomy to release their own advisories, such as schools and private hospitals, to verify gyud [really],” said Estandarte.
Please get or share information from credible sources, explain the doctor, and be careful what you post on social media.
Advisories are a form of media, a channel, especially now with the advent of the internet. Paspas kaayo mu-spread [it is so easy and fast to spread], said Estandarte.
Despite the fact that the Nipah virus’s health scare had some positive effects, such as increased vigilance and an improvement in people’s health-seeking behavior, DOH-10 emphasized that false information can make people feel unwelcome anxiety.
The DOH-10 stated that there are no Nipah virus cases in the country as there are no laboratory-confirmed cases of the infection.
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads between animals and people. It was first discovered in 1999 following an outbreak of disease in pigs and people in Malaysia and Singapore.
Recently, the Nipah virus was declared to have an outbreak in a certain region of India, but it was contained, said DOH-10. (JMOR/PIA-10)
Dr. John Daniel Estandarte, medical officer IV, Infectious Diseases Cluster, Department of Health-10, shares in Talakayan sa PIA: Konsultayo Series to get or share information from credible sources, explain the doctor, and be careful what you post on social media. (JMG/PIA-10)
