BAGUIO CITY – Summer season is here, and Department of Health reminds the public to be cautious of food and water -borne diseases as bacteria are easier to develop with hotter temperature.
Geeny Anne Austria of DOH – Cordillera explained in a Kapihan media forum that with the summer heat, common illnesses like typhoid fever and acute bloody siarrhea are caused by food and water contamination.
Based on the DOH – CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) monitoring report, from January to March 18 this year, there were 322 Acute Bloody Diarrhea and 364 typhoid suspects recorded in the region.
Austria also advised the public on food preparations and safety as bacteria easily develops at hotter temperature.
She reminded proper handling and storage and to prepare or cook food in moderation so that there will be not much leftovers.
Other summer illnesses that the public needs to watch out are influenza- like illnesses and dengue which is now a year- round concern.
The same DOH RESU report shows there were 1,671 influenza- like illnesses and 306 Dengue suspects recorded in Cordillera.
Though the health department expects Dengue cases to decrease this summer season, the public is still advised to clean possible mosquito breeding sites as clustering of cases in some areas are still noted particularly in barangays Bulanao and Dagupan Centro in Tabuk City in Kalinga.
Health authorities advise that if you think or feel that you are somehow sick or ill, immediately go to health facilities or professionals for check – up. /CCD/J. Maximo & A. Halal-PIA CAR/ SLU Interns#
