Boil drinking water, warns DoH after heavy rains spawn floods

Dr. Eric Tayag of Department of Health. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines –Boil drinking water for at least three minutes to kill bacteria-causing illnesses, an official of the Department of Health advised the public Wednesday, especially those in evacuation centers or in flooded areas.

Mixing chlorine tablet or one millimeter of chlorine for every liter of water and letting the solution stay for 30 minutes before drinking will also help, said health assistant secretary Eric Tayag.

Tayag also warned the public against wading through flood to avoid leptospirosis, a disease transmitted to humans through water contaminated with urine animals like rats, swine and carabaos. But if this cannot be avoided, Tayag said it would be best to wear boots.

Among the complications due to leptospirosis are meningitis, renal failure, respiratory distress and if left untreated, death.

Tayag issued the advisory, a day after Typhoon “Pedring” spawned heavy rains that flooded most of Luzon, including Metro Manila.