Take caution during season of illness – DOH
MANILA, Philippines — With the holiday season upon the country, the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday warned Filipinos of possible health hazards such as influenza, leptospirosis, and firework injuries, among others.
According to DOH officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire, the agency monitors the seasonal trends of illnesses and injuries.
“May mga trend tayo ng mga sakit or season ng sakit. Pagka nagpapalit na ang panahon dito sa Pilipinas, o mainit tas tag-ulan, o mainit tapos malamig kasi Ber months na tayo, Disyembre na. Mas mataas na po ang incidents ng mga flu, ito po yung mga influenza, pulmonya, yung flu na parang trangkaso, na tumataas na po,” said Vergeire.
(We have a trend of illnesses or a season of illness. Whenever the weather changes in the Philippines —dry then rainy or hot then cold — it is because Ber months are already here, like this month of December. Incidents of flu rise, these are influenza, cases of pneumonia, or worsened flu.)
She warned of the heightened risk that the elderly and children face from such diseases.
Article continues after this advertisementIn addition to flu, Vergeire further explained that rain-borne diseases such as leptospirosis and dengue are also still possible, given the rain in parts of the country.
Article continues after this advertisement“Aside from that, pag dumadating ang Kapaskuhan, binabantayan natin maigi ang pagkonsumo ng tao sa unhealthy diet,” said Vergeire.
(Aside from that, when Christmas arrives, we also monitor people’s consumption of unhealthy diets).
Vergeire cautioned Filipinos about their intake of food such as lechon and alcoholic beverages.
She also said that while fireworks-related injuries have declined in recent years, they are still happening.
“Kapag dumadating ang Kapaskuhan, lalo na Bagong taon, tumataas po ang mga injury sa ating bansa,” stated Vergeire.
(When Christmas arrives, especially New Year, injuries rise in our country).
Vergeire urged everyone to cooperate with one another to lessen firework injuries.
“Sana magtulong-tulong, whole of government, whole of society, so that we can prevent injuries stemming from the use of firecrackers,” said Vergeire.
(We can help each other, whole of government, whole of society, so that we can prevent injuries stemming from using firecrackers).
In January 2022, the DOH reported 85 firework-related injuries.
