ILOILO – The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Western Visayas cautioned the public against fake mosquito repellents proliferating in the market.
Dr. Marlyn Convocar, regional director of DOH-CHD, said these fake products pose risk to public health.
“Dapat hindi tayo ma-confuse na baka marami pang side effects kaysa benefits na makuha natin if we are not sure of the quality of this repellent we have,” Convocar added.
She urged buyers to be vigilant and must first look for FDA product registration on the label.
According to Convocar, FDA Region 6 already released a list of validated mosquito repellents available in the market. Consumers can check if these products are FDA-registered.
She likewise reminded those who are fond of purchasing mosquitoes repellents being sold online.
“FDA is strictly monitoring products being sold online,” Convocar said.
FDA-6 officer Ma. Angeles Guzman, meanwhile, assured the public that all mosquito and other insect repellents available in the market are all safe based on their recent monitoring.
“We have not received or monitored complaints against mosquito and other insect repellents,” said Guzman.
On June 23, the province was placed under a state of calamity due to dengue, 18 days after an outbreak was declared on July 5.
Based on the latest data of the Provincial Health Office dengue cases in Iloilo province further climbed to 8,987 with 31 deaths from Jan. 1 to July 20 this year.
The 10 areas with the most number of cases are the following:
* Pototan – 986 with four deaths
* Passi City – 482 with one death
* Sara – 436 with one death
* Lambunao – 404 with three deaths
* Concepcion – 399 with five deaths
* Janiuay – 341 with one death
* Santa Barbara – 337 with one death
* Calinog – 333
* Ajuy – 312
* Cabauan – 275 with two deaths
According to the World Health Organization, individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea/vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rash.
For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness./PN
