PHILIPPINES RECORDS 1ST CASE OF OMICRON BA.4 SUBVARIANT
Case was a Filipino citizen who flew in from the Middle East on May 4, 2022; he is asymptomatic
THE Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, May 21, 2022, said it detected the first case of the highly contagious Omicron BA.4 subvariant in the Philippines.
In its public health advisory Saturday, the DOH said the case was a Filipino citizen who flew in from the Middle East on May 4, 2022.
His positive result for the subvariant was from a specimen collected on May 8. He was asymptomatic.
The Omicron BA.4 has been seen as a variant of concern by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) as it is seen to either spread faster or cause worse illness.
The health department said the subvariant’s faster transmission is likely due to its ability to evade immune protection
While the ECDC has not observed any change in severity for BA.4 compared to other Omicron subvariants, we must be careful because faster transmission will lead to a spike in cases that could overwhelm our hospitals and clinics.” Department of Health
induced by prior infection and/ or vaccination, particularly if this has waned over time.
“While the ECDC has not observed any change in severity for BA.4 compared to other Omicron subvariants, we must be careful because faster transmission will lead to a spike in cases that could overwhelm our hospitals and clinics,” the DOH said.
The DOH added it has been coordinating with concerned local government units (LGUs) since confirmation of the case to rapidly implement detection and isolation activities as part of the Prevent, Detect, Isolation, Treat, Reintegration (PDITR) response.
The agency also strongly advised LGU to “proactively seek the unvaccinated and those eligible for boosters, and to make it convenient to get a jab.”
“The general public is strongly advised to please get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible, and to continue following health protocols: wear your best-fitting mask, isolate when sick, and ensure good airflow,” the DOH said.