After Yolanda, diseases next

CEBU, Philippines - The Center for Health Development-Region-6 has warned the public to be wary of their health following the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda.

CDH-6 director, Dr. Marlyn Convocar, said sanitation should be the top health consideration of the people in typhoon-devastated areas. Lack of potable water is the main factor that could contribute to infectious diseases that usually afflict flood survivors, she said.

Convocar said they expect a rise in water-borne diseases like acute gastroenteritis (AG), which has been linked to taking contaminated water or the ingestion of flood waters. She also warned against upper respiratory tract infection (UPTI) and leptospirosis, which are common diseases associated with floods.

Convocar said that these diseases are prevalent in evacuation centers citing poor sanitation and malnutrition.

A number of Department of Health personnel are victims of Yolanda, which also destroyed DOH facilities around Western Visayas.

Convocar said 13 hospitals incurred damages, six of these were in Capiz province, three in Kalibo of Aklan and two each in Antique and Iloilo provinces. Twenty rural health unit facilities were also affected, nine of which were in Aklan, four each in Iloilo and Capiz, two in Antique and one in Negros Occidental.  (FREEMAN)