MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health said there was no truth to claims circulating on social media posts about an alleged international health concern.
The department declined to tell media the specific illness they were referring to. The DOH in a statement just noted that neither the “cited country” nor the World Health Organization has confirmed what is allegedly spreading online.
“Reliable sources currently do not support circulating posts on social media about an alleged international health concern,” the department said on Friday, January 3.
“The DOH is actively verifying all information and will keep the Filipino public updated. Please do not share questionable websites or online sources,” it added.
The department said it is active in the network that follows the International Health Regulations of the WHO, which is a system that allows member states to update each other about ongoing international health concerns and helps define each states’ rights and obligations during public health emergencies.
The last public health emergency of international health concern that the Philippines acted upon is the alert on mpox, after the WHO warned of a more dangerous new variant — Clade Ib.
In 2024, the Philippines detected a total of 52 new mpox cases. None of the reported cases were epidemiologically-linked and majority recovered as of December.
“Philippine disease surveillance systems are in place and working,” the DOH said on Friday. – Rappler.com