According to the Department of Health, there are no reported local cases of the so-called “walking pneumonia” in the country, for the simple reason that there is no routine testing for it, so perhaps Filipinos can breathe a sigh of relief that our no-testing, no-result strategy for dealing with potential outbreaks remains in effect.
This contagious disease caused by the pathogen Mycoplasma pneumonia has been reportedly increasing in several countries, including China, especially among children.
“So far this has not been reported simply because these are not being routinely tested,” DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag recently told a news program.
The DOH said last week there has been a slowdown in the number of influenza-like cases. Its latest data showed 182,721 patients were infected as of November 11, most of which were cases of Influenza A and B, and COVID-19. Tayag said there was only clustering of cases and no outbreak of infections was reported in any region.
To prevent the further spread of any disease, Tayag advised the public to practice minimum health standards like washing of hands, social distancing, wearing of masks especially among the vulnerable and those who have cough and colds, and of course, getting vaccinated.
In addition, the Philippine Ports Authority has also advised sea passengers to observe those protocols, especially as the holiday travel rush gathers steam. It is currently not required, only recommended.
Whether the new fad is indeed “walking pneumonia” or COVID-19, the good news for ever-resilient Filipinos is whether the government tests for it or not, we should already know by now how to protect ourselves from infectious respiratory and airborne diseases that we shouldn’t catch because we would miss a lot of holiday parties and gatherings.
So for now, let us take heed of the warnings and prepare our face masks, along with updating our personal hygiene protocols, especially as we immerse ourselves in the crowds of the shopping rush and partake of the many gatherings that are coming up. After all, the added hassle of wearing those masks again and washing those hands will be better than catching any sickness, whether it be the regular flu, our old friend COVID, or the new kid on the block, walking pneumonia.*
