SEN. Francis Escudero on Friday called on the government to maintain a heightened alert against the Nipah virus after the lethal zoonotic disease resurfaced in parts of Asia.
Escudero noted that while current health advisories classify the Philippines as low risk, recent developments in neighboring regions highlight the need for sustained and proactive monitoring.
"Public safety depends not only on rapid response but on continuous readiness," Escudero said, adding that several Asian countries have already tightened airport health protocols against the disease.
He said the Philippines must follow suit given the country’s high volume of international arrivals and porous borders.
The Nipah virus, first identified in Malaysia in 1998, has recently reemerged in India, where authorities have imposed localized containment measures, enhanced surveillance and expanded contact tracing. Sporadic outbreaks have also been recorded in Bangladesh, prompting increased regional coordination and monitoring by health agencies.
Escudero urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Quarantine to implement strict safeguards, including thermal scanning, symptom monitoring and advisories for incoming passengers.
"These measures are critical to preventing the entry and spread of high-risk pathogens," he said, emphasizing the importance of interagency coordination. "Preparedness is never the work of a single office. It is a shared responsibility that requires synchronized systems, updated data and timely communication."
Escudero said the government should have already internalized the lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"That means not repeating those missteps but collating and applying the best practices we developed and witnessed — especially from health care workers and local governments that were on the frontlines," he said. "Early detection and transparent reporting remain the strongest defenses against emerging health threats. Our frontline personnel must be equipped with the latest guidance and tools."
The DOH maintained that it is closely monitoring international developments related to the Nipah virus and other emerging infectious diseases while keeping surveillance and response mechanisms in place. JAVIER JOE ISMAEL
