Hold the powdered milk–DOH

MANILA, Philippines—If you wish to donate foodstuff to the victims of Typhoon “Ruby,” leave out the infant formula.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reiterated its “no milk” policy to protect infants from illness due to the improper use and handling of powdered milk.

In a bulletin, the DOH said cases of gastroenteritis, or infectious diarrhea, surged when canned milk was given to relief recipients during previous disasters.

The DOH urged mothers in evacuation centers to breast-feed their infants.

“The DOH is working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local health authorities to ensure that evacuation centers are mother- and baby-friendly,” the agency said.

Infant formula needs to be mixed with potable water which is usually not available in times of calamity. Donating powdered milk also violates the Milk Code, a law that promotes breast-feeding.

To prevent the spread of disease in evacuation centers, the DOH ordered local health officials to vaccinate children between six months and five years of age against measles and polio and give them vitamin A.

It directed that sick children be promptly brought to the nearest government health facility to avert outbreaks of communicable diseases common under compressed living conditions, such as coughs and colds, eye infections and measles.

People in evacuation centers were reminded to observe proper hygiene and sanitation and wash their hands properly before and after eating and using the toilet.

“Boil water for drinking and cooking. The water must continuously boil for at least two minutes,” the DOH said.

It reminded those that get hurt to clean their wounds promptly with soap and water and get a tetanus shot at the nearest health center. They must also wear boots if wading through floods to prevent contracting leptospirosis.