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.
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