IPHO cautions public vs. food-borne diseases this summer
The period from March to May being summer months is also vacation time from school and fiesta season in the country.
With this, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) warned the public to take precautionary measures in eating foods to avoid food poisoning and food-borne diseases.
IPHO Officer-in Charge Patricia Grace Trabado identified some of the common food and water borne diseases during this season as diarrhea, parasitism, hepatitis A, cholera and typhoid fever.
Trabado said getting sick from these diseases can be avoided if common practice of washing hands before and after eating as well as during preparation of food is observed. If sick, avoid preparing food for others.
Trabado also advised to cook food properly. Preferably, foods must be eaten immediately after cooking while still hot and left-over food should be refrigerated and reheated before being eaten.
Fruits which are also abundant this summer season should be washed and peeled properly before eating.
It is said that improper food preparation and storage enhance the growth of disease-causing organisms that result to food poisoning and food and water-borne diseases.
Trabado further advised to avoid drinking water and iced beverages of doubtful quality. When traveling, if possible bring your own drinking water and If doubtful of the water quality, boil drinking water for at least 2 minutes.
"If the source of water in your area is scarce and have to fetch in other places, be sure that your container is clean and has a cover", said Trabado. She added that the main source of water in the area should be kept clean and free from use in laundrying activity to prevent contamination. (PIA)