Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the Department of Health (DOH) is closely monitoring a suspected case of pneumonic plague in Russia and implementing necessary preventive protocols to protect public health.
Castro made the statement during a press briefing in Singapore following reports that health authorities in Russia are investigating the death of a laboratory worker in Irkutsk, Siberia.
The victim, an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute who developed severe pneumonia symptoms, died on October 2, prompting Russian public health officials to trace and monitor individuals who came into direct contact with the worker.
Castro affirmed that health authorities are aligning their monitoring actions with official guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).
”So rest assured po, ang mga kababayan natin po na nakatutok po ang DOH at kung anuman po ang kinakailangan pang gawin, iyon po ay kanilang gagawin,” Castro said.
She added that the government remains ready to enforce additional border and healthcare measures as situation updates warrant from international health agencies.