AN infectious diseases expert warned that the public should stay vigilant in the wake of cases of respiratory illness spike in China.

Dr. Rontgene Solante — Philippine College of Physicians president  said in an interview over Teleradyo that the public should still keep their guard up.

He explained that the public should keep observing health precautions such as masking and keeping vaccinations up to date.

This is as the Department of Health continues to monitor the situation.

“Hindi tayo magpa-panic na baka sasabihin na naman nating another COVID or a novel pathogen na hindi natin alam,” Solante said. 

“But it is also important while monitoring mag-iingat rin tayo dahil alam mo naman ang sakit ngayon mabilis nang mag-travel between country to another country dahil nga sa wala nang restrictions.”

China has recorded an increase in “influenza-like illness” particularly in northern China since mid-October when compared to the same period in the previous three years, according to the World Health Organization.

But China said that there are no “unusual or novel pathogens” in respiratory illnesses.

According to Solante, the so-called “vulnerable populations” which include children and the elderly should take extra precautions as they could be easily infected with respiratory illnesses.

“Importante na paalalahan natin ang population, particularly ‘yung mga vulnerable population, na ‘yung face mask natin isa sa mga layers of protection,” he said.