DOH warns public as rainy season illnesses rise

HEALTH UPDATES

BAGUIO CITY -- With incessant rainfall due to southwest monsoon, the Health department warned the public to be wary of rainy day illnesses which were on the rise.

DOH Cordillera regional director Dr.  Amelita Pangilinan, in a media forum last week, said people are advised to be wary of common cough and cold and other influenza- like illnesses, diarrhea, food and water borne diseases, leptospirosis, dengue and chikungunya.

To avoid common cough and cold and other influenza- like illnesses, Pangilinan advised the public to always bring their rain gears (umbrella, jacket etc.), maintain a healthy lifestyle and boost their immune system by having enough rest, avoiding stress and through intake of vitamins  as advised by their physicians.

Pangilinan said that  based on  DOH’s disease surveillance report, 5,509 ILI cases  were recorded from January to July 4 this year with Ifugao  having the most cases at 1,863, followed by Baguio City with 1,139 cases.

DOH-CAR also recorded 1,083 cases of dengue in the region this year. Though lower by 32 percent compared to last year’s 883 cases, Pangilinan urged the public not to be complacent as they  expect cases to rise this rainy season.

She urged the public to observe  “Search and Destroy” campaign (cleaning-up possible dengue mosquito breeding sites) like the 4 O’clock Habit vs Dengue,  ABKD (Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue) and Operation “Taob” (turning over of bottle caps or container lids and other materials in the surroundings that may accumulate rain water).

She also reported 12 cases of Chikungunya, a new disease that is related to the dengue mosquito, were recorded  in the region.

For diarrhea, DOH - CAR data showed 796 cases while for leptospirosis suspects, they recorded five.

Pangilinan advised the public to ensure safe and clean drinking water, proper hygiene like handwashing, and safe food preparation and food handling.

“Avoid walking on floodwater, so they will not be exposed to the risk of leptospirosis,” she said.