DOH monitors new swine virus from China
The Department of Health (DOH) is looking into reports about a new flu virus found in pigs in China that has the potential of becoming a “pandemic virus.”
At a press briefing on Tuesday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they would look into the report, adding, “Hopefully, it will not have an effect now that everybody has a lot of worries.”
Vergeire was apparently referring to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has infected over 10
10 million people worldwide as of June 30.
Reports of the World Health Organization showed that of the figure, 503,862 have died.
It said the pig virus found in China has become more infectious to humans and is feared could evolve into a pandemic virus.
Chinese experts observed the virus in pigs from 2011 to 2018 and found a “G4” strain of H1N1 that has “all the essential hallmarks of a potential pandemic virus.”
Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Rey Guerrero directed all customs port officials to remain vigilant and carefully examine all food shipments coming into the country.
Guerrero said Customs port officials must ensure that any dangerous pork and pork-related products should not be allowed entry.
He said they have been strictly monitoring the entry of agricultural and other food products and that proper safety procedures are followed.