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Friday, March 29, 2024

Warning against disease outbreaks

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The Department of Health has warned the public against the possible outbreak of waterborne and foodborne illnesses, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis and dengue diseases following the recent typhoons that struck the country. 

The department also repeated its call on the precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19 among the displaced population.

Typhoons “Rolly” and “Ulysses” caused widespread flooding and destruction that prompted evacuation in several parts of Luzon.

Recognizing the health hazards in the affected areas, the department has alerted its Centers for Health Development to continuously monitor the possible spread of W.I.L.D. diseases together with concerned Local Government Units and their respective communities.

“We are very wary of a possible outbreak of communicable, waterborne and vector-borne diseases after disasters, lalo pa ngayong may pandemiya na maaring magdulot ng complex situation. Kaya po bago pa lang pumasok ang rainy season ay naglabas na po kami ng guidelines para sa mga regional offices ng DOH upang makapaghanda ng contingency measures laban sa mga sakit ng kung tawagin namin ay W.I.L.D.,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said. 

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“Rest assured that we at DOH, of course, with the support of our LGUs, are doing the best that we can to prevent or control possible outbreaks.” 

According to the department’s epidemiological analysis, the influenza season in the country peaks in July and October, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season as the weather transitions from increased heat and high humidity in the summer to the wet and damp weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the stagnant water due to flooding is a good habitat for mosquitoes. Those flood waters may also contain leptospira bacteria that cause leptospirosis. The department likewise notes that the interruption of safe water supply and sanitation due to flooding may cause water and food contamination that bring other diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, amoebiasis, hepatitis A and acute gastroenteritis.

“Sa ganitong pagkakataon, mas mainam pa rin po ang mga non-pharmaceutical interventions gaya ng palagiang paghuhugas ng kamay at pag-didisinfect ng mga bagay na madalas hinahawakan o high-touch surfaces, at observing proper cough etiquette. Kasama rin dito  ang pagbabakuna for vaccine-preventable diseases, pagsusuot ng masks, pagsisiguro na malinis ang inuming tubig, at pagpapanatili ng kalinisan ng kapaligiran upang maiwasan ang flu and other infections,” Duque said.

He also highlighted the importance of having heightened vigilance in the evacuation centers, saying “Hangga’t maaari po ay iniiwasan natin ang pagkakaroon ng hawahan ng sakit sa loob ng evacuation centers. kaya po ay may isinasagawang symptom screening at clinical and exposure assessment of evacuees.” 

In the department’s Memorandum 2020-0318, or the interim guidelines on the prevention and control of COVID-19 during emergency evacuations, the screening, triage and evaluation of evacuees form part of the specified measures in managing evacuation centers. Furthermore, the minimum public health standards must always be observed at all times.

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