The Department of Health (DoH) said it is coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO) following the declaration of Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a public health emergency of international concern.

Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo said the WHO has advised countries such as the Philippines, which has no reported cases of the Bundibugyo strain and shares no land border with affected nations, to remain alert and strengthen preparedness measures.

“We have been notified through the International Health Regulations channels, and are in active coordination with the WHO,” Domingo said Sunday.

The DoH noted that previous Ebola-related incidents recorded in the Philippines in 1989, 1996 and 2008 involved the Reston virus strain, which does not cause illness in humans.