Not all deaths can be linked to Dengvaxia — PAO pathologist

A pathologist from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) on Wednesday warned that not all deaths of patients who had been given Dengvaxia can be linked to the controversial vaccine, according to a "24 Oras" report by Ivan Mayrina on Wednesday.

Dr. John Arnel Amata, who is also from Ospital ng Maynila, explained that other viral diseases can also cause rashes or internal bleeding.

"Dapat nga po maging maingat sa sasabihin natin kasi marami pong sakit ang nago-overlap po ang mga presentation. Lahat po ng mga viral diseases pwede po magpresent as mga rashes, pwede rin po mag-cause ng bleeding," Amata said.

Out of the nine tissue samples examined by PAO, three were examined by Amata. However, he declined to provide the test results.

Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Forensics Chief Dr. Erwin Erfe, meanwhile, said they have seen a connection between the controversial vaccine and the death of the victims.

"What we are seeing is a strong link between Dengvaxia vaccination at saka 'yung pagkamatay nung biktima. 'Yun ang sinasabi namin, pero hindi namin sinasabi na ito ay conclusive findings," Erfe said.

The PAO has conducted autopsies on 26 children who are said to have died and who have received Dengvaxia, as part of a case buildup against the officials who approved the use of the vaccine. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BAP, GMA News