DOH cautions public on rainy season ailments
The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a health advisory for public safety especially during this rainy season, known as La Niña phenomenon.
The DOH said that the public should be aware of the health effects and the preventive measures against the continued rains that resulted in floods.
La Niña is a weather phenomenon characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in the Equatorial Pacific, which causes increased numbers of tropical storms in the Pacific Ocean.
Among the diseases related to contaminated water due to flooding include acute gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, cholera and hepatitis A, the DOH said.
The diseases related to wading in floodwaters contaminated with urine of infected animals is leptospirosis.
Dengue and malaria that are brought by mosquitoes are also prevalent during the rainy season.
To prevent the various health effects during the La Niña season, particularly typhoid fever, gastroenteritis and cholera, drinking water must be boiled or chlorinated, the DOH said, adding that hand washing must also be done before preparing food and after using the toilet.
The public must also avoid wading in floodwater, otherwise, they should wear rubber boots.
The DOH said that all possible breeding sites of mosquitoes, such as vases, empty coconut shells, old tires and tin cans, must be destroyed and cleaned.
In case of flood, the public is advised to stay inside a house or building during heavy rains, and avoid wading and taking baths in floodwaters.
When a flood advisory is issued, residents in low lying areas should seek for higher grounds, and avoid crossing low-lying areas and bridges during evacuation, the DOH stressed. (PIA)