AFTER TYPHOON ‘FRANK’
After mudflows, Iloilo now battles dust, water shortage
By David Israel Sinay
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 17:05:00 07/12/2008
Filed Under: Disasters (general), Environmental Issues, Water Supply, Water Supplies, Weather, Typhoon Frank
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo -- The Department of Health in Western Visayas (DoH 6) has advised the riding public and drivers to wear surgical masks to protect themselves against pulmonary illness caused by dust, weeks after Typhoon “Frank” triggered mudflows in parts of the region.
With the drying of mud and murky water that inundated this city and many other areas on Panay Island at the height of Frank on June 21, "our problem now is the dust," said Lydia Depra-Ramos, DoH 6 regional director.
Ramos warned commuters and residents of the "dust storm" which may aggravate pulmonary diseases such as asthma, cough, and other lung problems.
Ramos recommended to the local government units -- particularly in this city and in Aklan province -- to provide their constituents with surgical masks "or even improvised masks…for protection from dirt."
The dried-up mud develops into a powdery substance and swiftly goes airborne that could be easily inhaled. It causes cough and transmits airborne contaminants, Ramos said.
She said residents could immediately seek medical attention in available health facilities. "Health centers were adequately provided with medicines…for free," she said.
The DoH has reported that typhoid fever and leptospirosis are the predominant illnesses monitored by the regional epidemiology center as clean water became scarce after the typhoon destroyed several water systems in the region.
Dr. Glenn Alonsabe, DoH regional epidemiologist, said the shortage of potable water is a continuing problem. The DoH anticipates an outbreak of water-borne diseases in the next two months, he said.
"We are conducting continuous disease surveillance," he said.
Based on DoH statistics compiled from June 29 to July 10, Alonsabe said there were already 85 suspected cases of leptospirosis in the region with seven deaths reported -- five in Aklan, and Iloilo province and Iloilo City with one each.
Leptospirosis is usually transmitted coming into contact with contaminated floodwaters "especially if you have wound," she said.
Alonsabe said hospital admissions on the cases of typhoid fever reached 132.
There is a very low incidence of diarrhea, he said.
In Iloilo City, one victim died of acute dehydration caused by diarrhea, the city health office reported. Alonsabe added cases of cholera, tetanus, hepatitis, and asthma might swell in the next few months.
Ramos said the DoH now focuses its assistance on water, sanitation and hygiene, and vector control on dengue and leptospirosis cases.
She said the DoH was able to contain a possible typhoid outbreak in Ibajay, Aklan last July 4.
She said 38 suspected typhoid victims were rushed to the hospital at one time in Ibajay and they later uncovered that all water sources in the town are contaminated with coliform.
She said she immediately told local officials to avoid making use of water sources in the area for drinking. "It's either they put chlorine or boil the water first before drinking," she said.
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