Kanlaon evacuees hit by respiratory illnesses

DANGER LURKS A screen grab of footage taken on Tuesday by the Phivolcs’ Canlaon City Observation Station camera shows the active degassing from the summit crater of Mt. Kanlaon on Negros Island. Local governments near the volcano have ordered community evacuations amid the increasing unrest in Kanlaon. —Photo courtesy of Phivolcs

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS Oriental — Health officials were working double time to prevent an outbreak of respiratory ailments in evacuation centers and villages in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, due to elevated sulfur dioxide emissions from Mt. Kanlaon.

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In a statement Tuesday, the local government said respiratory issues remained a top concern, with many evacuees complaining about the strong, foul odor of sulfur dioxide. So far, the city has recorded at least 22 evacuees with coughs and colds.

Canlaon Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has ordered using face masks to mitigate respiratory hazards.

The city government, in coordination with the Department of Health, was closely monitoring the health of evacuees, who mostly came from the danger zone of the volcano.