By Leonardo Micua

 

WHILE the Israel-Hamas War is still raging with just brief lull of fighting because of a four-day ceasefire, and the Russia-Ukraine War is now entering almost on its second year on February 24, 2024, both at the cost of thousands of human lives, another potential global pandemic that could be more deadly is staring at us in the face.

An alarming report recently came out regarding the outbreak of a mysterious pneumonia disease in China, a next door neighbor of the Philippines, only few hours away, and  based on what we  heard,  a flood of patients, primarily children, already overwhelmed  hospitals throughout that country.

This mysterious disease seems to have resurfaced soon  after China lifted its COVID-19 restrictions months back. Recall that COVID originated from the live animal market of the city of Wuhan  where the supposed animal to human transmission of the disease happened (if China was really telling the truth) before  it quickly spread to all corners of the world.

This development has prompted health authorities in China to launch investigations into this mysterious pneumonia disease, including its cure. Remember that this  is not a simple pneumonia, that can be treated  by doctors with just standard  medicines.

Definitely, this news has  again put many countries, particularly the Philippines, on high alert, as there is a real possibility that this disease, whose symptoms are fever, cold,  body pains, cough, headache, fatigue among others,  could potentially ignite another devastating pandemic.

Adding to the unease, the Philippines is currently grappling with a surge in cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) affecting both children and adults, which have also placed an enormous strain on the nation’s healthcare system.

As a response, health authorities already ramped up anti-flu and anti-pneumonia vaccination to as many citizens to give  them long-time protection from the whiplash of ILI.

Given the close proximity of China to  the Philippines, it could only  be a matter of time before this mysterious disease finds its way to the Philippines if it has not done so already.

In view of this development, it may be prudent for the Philippines to reinforce  strict health protocols that could involve measures such as the mandatory use of face masks in outdoor settings, enforcing frequent hand washing and discouraging large gatherings of people, which we actually did during the pandemic with great measure of success.

These precautions could potentially mitigate the spread of the mysterious disease and safeguard the health and well-being of the Filipino people.

Lest I be likened to a boy who cried wolf, I find nothing wrong if we again heighten our vigilance as a precaution against the  reemergence of this mysterious pneumonia disease in China, coupled with the increasing number of influenza-like cases in the Philippines.

But because it’s Christmas, it is likely that precautions may just be thrown to the wind by most of us in our hurry to see the Paseo de Belen on JdV Expressway and the glittering Quintos and Magsaysay Bridges. This way, ILI might have a chance to spread.

Like what we did during the COVID pandemic in order to survive, we did not just dig in and hoped for the best. We fought COVID-19 head-on  by adopting utmost vigilance and adhering to strict health protocols, apart from seeking vaccination twice, thrice and even four times.

This, we will do again till the yet  to be known type of pneumonia disease is defeated if ever it reaches our shores, granting it hasn’t already.

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