DOH debunks rumors of new pandemic, urges Filipinos to avoid spreading misinformation

National

THE Department of Health (DOH) has dismissed online rumors circulating about a “new pandemic” originating from China.

The health agency also urged Filipinos to refrain from spreading misinformation.

Reports of a new respiratory virus that could spread globally surfaced on social media on Friday, but the DOH emphasized that there is no reliable evidence to support such allegations.

“There is no confirmation from either the cited country nor the World Health Organization (WHO),” the DOH stated.

The department also reminded the public not to share unverified content and to rely on official health updates.

DOH further stated that the Philippine disease surveillance systems are in place and functioning.

The rumors were largely based on reports from online Indian tabloids, which speculated that a surge in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cases in China could lead to an international outbreak.

However, hMPV, a known respiratory virus first identified in 2001, typically affects infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. It is most common during the winter and spring seasons.

No specific treatments are available for the virus, and it has been studied in the Philippines, particularly among children with severe pneumonia in Tacloban.

The false alarm appears to have stemmed from a recent announcement by China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration regarding a monitoring system for respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia of unknown origin.

The DOH clarified that this is not linked to the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic and reassured the public that the Philippines is well-prepared to handle health emergencies.

Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo highlighted the Philippines' commitment to health security, citing past responses to diseases like pertussis, measles, and mpox as examples of effective management.

He also noted that the country had successfully completed its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) with the WHO, reinforcing its readiness for public health threats.

The DOH urged Filipinos to trust official sources and remain vigilant in preventing the spread of misinformation.(CMM)