The government has assured the public that there is no “flesh-eating” skin disease in Pangasinan amid reports circulating on social media of the supposed outbreak of the "mysterious' illness.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona said in their Facebook account on Tuesday that "there is no reported case of ‘flesh-eating’ skin disease in the country yet. Absolutely no reason for the public to panic."
Ona made the statement after ABS-CBN reported in their late-night program “Bandila” that a “mysterious flesh-eating disease” is slowly spreading in Pangasinan.
The reporter, clad in protective gear and face mask, interviewed two case studies in Villasis and Santa Barbara who were said to be “decaying” due to a “mysterious” disease. But the provincial health officer dispelled the report, saying the two victims had psoriasis and leprosy.
Ona further explained that the patient in Santa Barbara is a 21-year-old female who is on multi-drug therapy for leprosy. The patient developed an adverse reaction to the drugs.
Meanwhile, the patient in Villasis was said to have a severe case of psoriasis, a chronic skin disease of red patches and white scales, Ona added.
“There are a lot of diseases that may manifest through changes in the skin. It is good to consult our doctors or go to the nearest barangay health unit when we need medical advice and treatment. Let us avail of the free healthcare service in our health facilities,” Ona said.
The two cases were not that of the rare necrotizing fasciitis, a serious bacterial infection that spreads rapidly and destroys the body’s soft tissue, Pangasinan provincial health officer Dr. Anna Guzman said.
The ABS-CBN report was made amid an internet buzz that a prophecy by self-titled prophet Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj in April 2013 said a flesh-eating disease would spread from Pangasinan to the world.
Selvaraj said during the 24th National Prayer Gathering at Cuneta Astrodome
"The Lord said there is a place called Pangasinan. It is in the northernmost part in your land. From there is a grievous disease will spread all over the world. That will consume the flesh of men; all their upper skin will begin to decay. It will pierce through the bones. The fear of this disease will spread all over the world. The Lord said that this will begin from the Philippines."
Just hours after the Bandila report came out Monday night, the hashtag #PrayForPangasinan trended on Twitter, with netizens resorting to faith amid fears of an apocalyptic doom.
The prophet was also said to have predicted a flood that would ravage Samar and Leyte, a reference supernatural netizens said was fulfilled when Super Typhoon “Yolanda” ravaged the Central Philippines in November 2013.
Necrotizing fasciitis - Flesh-eating Disease
In Florida and Georgia, USA in the previous year, two cases have been reported about Necrotizing fasciitis or the flesh-eating disease. Henry Konietzky died in September 23 after a cholera-causing bacteria entered a sore on his leg while setting traps in the river. Aimee Copeland's arms and legs have been amputated after she developed a flesh-eating disease but now lived normally with the help of bionics.--Source: Inquirer/IBT