No travel restrictions have been imposed in the Philippines despite the potential threat of pneumonic plague, but the health authorities urge caution among travelers.

The Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau Dir. Alethea De Guzman advises Filipino travelers heading to areas with suspected plague transmission to take safety precautions and avoid exposure to the possible source of plague.

“Kung mapupunta ka sa bansang merong transmission ng plague o may suspetsa na may transmission ng plague, iwasan po talaga ang exposure,” she said

She added that returning travelers must also monitor themselves whether exposed or not. It is also important to seek medical advice or consultation to get completely assessed, tested, and determine the cause of the symptoms.

“Kung meron kang maramdaman na parang paglalagnat tapos 'yun nga po may pamamaga na ng kulani, dapat po agad na magpatingin,” she said

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) is actively coordinating with Russian health authorities to verify reports regarding the pneumonic plague.

“WHO has remained in contact with the Russian health authorities and has offered technical support,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said

He added that the Russian authorities stated that no recent cases of plague have been registered

“The Russian health authorities reported that no case of plague had recently been registered in Irkutsk oblast,”  he said

He added that an epidemiological investigation has been conducted, while identified contacts were placed under medical observation and testing.

“They informed WHO that an epidemiological investigation had been conducted, preventive and control measures implemented, and identified contacts placed under medical observation and tested,” he added

No high-threat pathogens were detected among the contacts, and their medical observation has been completed.

“They reported that no high-threat pathogens had been detected among the contacts and that medical observation of all identified contacts had been completed,” he said

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