DOH: Firecracker injuries hit 319 with 12 more cases reported

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) reported 12 more firecracker-related injuries, bringing the total number of reported cases to 319 from Dec. 21, 2018 to Jan. 5, 2019.

In its Fireworks-Related Injury (FWRI) Surveillance report update on Saturday, the DOH said the figure is still 38 percent lower or 194 cases less than the figure reported in 2018.

The update covered the period from 6 a.m. of Dec. 21, 2018 to 5:59 a.m. of Jan. 5, 2019, the DOH said.

Of the new cases, three were reported from Region VII; two cases from the National Capital Region; one case each for Region VI and Region X, and one case each in Regions I, IV-A, and V.

Majority of the reported victims, said the DOH, are male between the ages of 2 to 76, with a median age of 15. A total of 256 persons were reported injured by firecrackers and fireworks, the DOH said.

Of the victims, 68 were hurt by “kwitis,” 36 from “luces,” 21 by “piccolo,” 19 from “boga,” and 16 by “5-star and triangle.”

It also said that 246 individuals sustained burns in their bodies but no amputations were made. However, 11 victims were amputated, the DOH said.

Meanwhile, at least 81 cases of eye injuries and two cases of fireworks ingestion were also recorded by the health department.

Despite the high number of fireworks-related injuries, the DOH has reported that no firecracker-related deaths have been reported.   /muf