Carlo Canlas
It has been a tradition to some Filipinos during holy week to engage in self-flagellation. But the risks of do it increases as researchers in London found a link on spreading of viral infection and blood-shedding rituals.
Researchers says that deadly viral blood infections can be transferred during self-flagellation.
There were 10 British men had become infected with Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HCLVT-1), this spreads through breastfeeding, sex, blood transfusion and sharing of needles.
The men hadn’t engaged in any activities that may lead to infection of the said virus until Dr. Dhasmana spotted the scars on the back of one man, and later revealing that they had participated in religious flagellation in Iraq, Pakistan, India and the United Kingdom.
“There have been suggestions that you might spread infections through this route, but it has never been described before” said Dr. Divya Dhasmana of St. Mary’s Hospital in London.
The men underwent slashing with a knife and then passing it to other men as part of the ritual. The other one was done by whipping their back with a chain of blades, and the blades were passed around and soaked in a bucket full of over-the counter antiseptic solution. Dr. Dhasmana said this method is not enough to kill HTLV-1.
Dhasmana reminds that “If you do it, don’t share equipment.”
Most of flagellants in the country, we’re cut at their backs with the same blade and even glass fragments from broken bottles.
This coming April 14, holy week will start, and flagellants will be out in the streets. May this become a warning for their own good.
Young ECHO 
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