Classes in Cagayan de Oro suspended as spread of 'Nipah' virus feared

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: Classes here were suspended on Wednesday amid unconfirmed reports of a «Nipah virus» outbreak in schools that has infected students and school personnel.

The «Nipah» virus or NiV 2023 is acquired through contact with infected animals like pigs and fruits partially eaten by fruit bats.

Health officials said that there are no vaccines for the prevention of Nipah disease.

Aude Borres, assistant school superintendent, of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Northern Mindanao, said that a Memorandum Order was issued on Wednesday afternoon suspending classes as widespread coughs and colds were reported among the students.

He said the order also encouraged schools to adopt the Covid-19 virus health protocols like washing of hands, social distancing, avoiding crowds, and the use of face masks.

Symptoms of the disease are fever from 3 to 14 days, headache, respiratory illness such as cough, sore throat, and difficulty in breathing.

Borres said that modular classes will be implemented as classes remain suspended.

«The issuance of the memorandum on the suspension of classes in Cagayan de Oro was agreed among DeEd officials in a meeting Wednesday morning,» Borres said.

Nipah was first detected in Malaysia in 1998.

Universities and colleges in Cagayan de Oro City, however, suspended classes ahead of the DepEd memo as the «flu-like» symptoms spread, prompting school officials to disinfect their campuses.

Borres said that school administrators are authorized to suspend classes when necessary.