ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 warns the public “WILD” diseases this rainy season.
WILD is an acronym for waterborne-diseases, influenza, leptospirosis and dengue, the DOH added.
Cholera, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and typhoid fever are examples of water-borne diseases, said Dr. Elvie Villalobos, medical specialist and head of the Infectious Disease Cluster of DOH Region 6.
These diseases can be acquired from drinking unsafe water.
Influenza or flu is also common during the rainy season because viruses proliferate in this period.
Villalobos said flu can be avoided through constant hand washing.
Those who are infected by the flu virus must cover their mouth when coughing or their nose when sneezing to prevent further spreading the disease.
Leptospirosis, on the other hand, is a disease caused by urine or increments of rats.
Villalobos said those with open wounds and lacerations must refrain from dipping their feet in flood water to avoid the disease.
DOH Region 6 records showed that as of June this year, Western Visayas has a total of 2,698 dengue cases.
It reiterated its call to follow the “4S” strategy in eliminating dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
The 4S strategy stands for searching and destroying mosquito breeding places, using self-protection measures, seeking early consultation for fever lasting more than two days, and saying “no” to indiscriminate fogging. (With a report from PIA/PN)
