Philippines keeps close watch on import of exotic animals

The Philippine government has tightened monitoring of import of exotic animals, particularly those coming from the countries affected by Ebola virus, a senior government official said on Saturday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a state- run radio interview the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) has sent advisory to concerned agencies about the possible entry of these animals from African countries, such as Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, where outbreaks of Ebola virus infection had been reported.
However, she assured the public that the government has the capacity to monitor possible carriers of Ebola virus and it has the standard procedures in place at different ports of entry.
The DOH said earlier that it was keeping a close watch to seven overseas Filipino workers who recently arrived from Sierra Leone for possible symptoms of the deadly virus.
But currently, the Philippines was still Ebola-free, the department said.
Ebola is a severe, infectious, often fatal disease in humans and primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees) caused by infection from the Ebola virus.
Signs and symptoms of infection with Ebola virus include fever, headache, intense weakness, joint and muscle pains, and sore throat; this is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding; sometimes, rash, red eyes, hiccups, and bleeding from body openings may be seen in some patients.
As of July 27, the total number of cases in the three affected West African countries had risen to 1,201 with reported 672 deaths.