Manuel Masalva’s ‘aggressive bacterial infection’ not a cause for panic — DOH
Manuel Masalva. Image: Instagram/@manuelmasalva
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said reports of ‘Narcos: Mexico’ actor Manuel Masalva‘s hospitalization in Dubai due to an “aggressive bacterial infection” after a trip to the Philippines should not cause public panic.
According to DOH Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the agency first wondered what kind of bacteria the actor contacted as not all bacteria are “aggressive” and can cause illness.
“We are not discounting the fact na nagkaroon ng sakit yung ating celebrity at ayon sa kanyang publicist ay sinasabi from the Philippines. Pero sana sinasabi sana kung ano yung particular bacteria, saan niya nakuha para makilusan natin,” Domingo said in an interview with Radyo 630.
(We are not discounting the fact that the celebrity contracted a disease, and according to his publicist, he got it from the Philippines. But I hope they say what particular bacteria that is and where he got it so we can act on it.)
Masalva is in a medically induced coma due to “aggressive bacterial infection.” According to the statement of his manager Jaime Espinosa to the LA Times, he is currently in a critical but stable condition while under treatment at a hospital in Dubai.
The Mexican actor visited the Philippines before he flew and arrived in Dubai last March 18. Two days later, he suffered severe abdominal pain that resulted in his hospitalization. His friend, fellow actor Mario Moran, however, said Masalva is now in a stable condition but still in coma.
Meanwhile, Domingo also said that DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa directed the agency to contact the International Health Regulations (IHR) system of Dubai and Mexico. Domingo said that the IHR system identifies and notifies if there is an outbreak in a certain area, and the countries are mandated to inform one another of their assessment.
“It is up to the countries and of course sa pasyente kung ano yun, kasi minsan kung di naman tinatawag na notifiable yung sakit ay di yan sinasabi,” Domingo noted.
(It is up to the countries and of course to the patient on what it is, because sometimes, if a disease is not notifiable, it is not disclosed.)
“In simple words, ang sinasabi ko ay wag magpanic ang ating kababayan dahil if you read the news reports, sila na ring nagsabi na kayang gamutin ng antibiotics kung ano mang nakita nila,” Domingo added.
(In simple words, what I am saying is for the public to not panic because if you read the news reports, they say that the antibiotics can treat what they found.)
According to his camp, Masalva’s doctor identified the type of bacteria and administered the appropriate antibiotic he needed. The manager also shared that “his respirator was lowered to 80%, which means that his lungs are reacting.”
Domingo further said the DOH also reached out to networks and health units of the actor’s tourist destination for their reports on the incident.
“I would like to assure everyone na wala naman ho kaming nakuhang report of a similar case so far. And in fact, kung mayroon po yan, sabihin na nating nagswimming siya na may sugat siya, pwedeng nakuha niya sa isang restaurant, food poisoning yan,” Domingo added.
(I would like to assure everyone that we did not get a report of a similar case so far. And in fact, if there is a case, let’s say he swam when he had wounds, or he could get food poisoning from a restaurant.)
