DOH to public: Stay alert for water-borne diseases

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health in Central Visayas has called on the public to be vigilant of the water-borne diseases brought about by the La Niña Phenomenon.

DOH regional director Susana Madarieta said that water-borne diseases like dengue and leptospirosis are expected to rise, if the public will not be vigilant, during rainy season. According to her, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has already announced the onset of the rainy season until early next year.

Madarieta however said that the dengue cases in Cebu City dropped by 36-percent from January to September 15 compared to the same period last year. So far, there were only 1,061 dengue cases reported in Cebu City with nine fatality compared to 1,659 cases and 13 deaths last year.

There were 58 cases of leptospirosis recorded by the DOH Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit since the start of the year until October 8 with Cebu City having 20 cases, the highest in the region.

Madarieta said that among the preventive measures that the public should observe during rainy season is to cover the water containers at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and to destroy any containers such as opened cans, tires or caps that could be possible breeding sites for Aedes Egypti Mosquitoes.

In heavily flooded areas, the DOH advised the public to wear protective gears such as boots before wading through flooded roadways to reduce the risk of contracting leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is an infection commonly transmitted to humans from water that has been contaminated by animal urine (usually rats), and comes in contact with lesion[s] in the skin, eyes, or with the mucous membranes, Madarieta said.

The health department also warned that coughs and colds are common during the rainy season. She advised the public to wear protective clothing, eat right and take vitamins that boost the immune system such as Vitamin C and eat foods rich in vitamins and nutrients such as vegetables. – (FREEMAN)