ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) warned the public against water-borne diseases, influenza, leptospirosis and dengue (WILD) this rainy season.
State weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the beginning of the rainy season on June 2.
Its onset was marked by the passage of Typhoon “Betty” and the prevailing southwest monsoon or habagat, PAGASA said.
“Gina-watch out ta subong ang diseases nga puede ta makuha sa rainy season such as dengue, leptospirosis and influenza,” Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, IPHO head, said in an interview with Panay News.
Quiñon explained with the onset of the rainy season, anywhere can be a breeding place for dengue mosquitoes.
She advised the public to always practice the 4S strategy against dengue: search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, employ self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that can sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes that live and breed in clean, stagnant water.
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 rashes.
For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in the vomit, fatigue, and restlessness.
From Jan. 1 to May 27 this year, the province recorded 521 dengue cases – 44 percent higher than the 361 cases with six deaths listed in the same period last year.
The town of Barotac Nuevo logged the highest cases with 40, followed by Estancia with 34.
The other towns with high cases were Ajuy (25), Calinog (21), Alimodian (20), Carles (20), Banate (19), Barotac Viejo (19), Oton (19), and Balasan (18).
Mina is the only town with no reported dengue cases, said Quiñon.
Moreover, Quiñon cautioned the public against leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. One becomes infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment. Bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin or the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
From Jan. 1 to May 27, the province logged 94 cases with two deaths – 276 percent more than the 25 cases recorded in the same period last year.
The two deaths were listed in Badiangan and Carles towns. They were farmers.
The top 10 towns with the highest cases of leptospirosis were Cabatuan (12), Pototan (11), Barotac Nuevo (10), Anilao (seven), Dingle (five), Santa Barbara (four), Dumangas (four), Oton (four), Mina (two), and Badiangan (three with one death).
No cases, meanwhile, were recorded in Ajuy, Bingawan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Lambunao, Leganes, Passi City, San Dionisio, San Joaquin, San Rafael, and Sara.
“Nagasugod na pagpananom or land preparation. Ang farmers lantawon gid anay nila ang ila nga tiil kon may pilas,” added Quiñon.
She advised the public, especially farmers, that if they wade in fields or flood waters, they should ask their Rural Health Units (RHU) for prophylaxis.
Use boots and wash your whole body after swimming in water to avoid being infected with leptospirosis, the IPHO head added.
“Prevention is better than cure so ang prevention is after ma-expose sa tubig-baha, kinahanglan maghugas or manghabon or paligo. Ang mga kabataan ensure indi makapaligo sa tubig-baha,” Quiñon added.
She also pointed out that even at home one can get infected with leptospirosis, adding that a rat at home could be a carrier of leptospira bacteria.
The IPHO chief further cautioned the public against other influenza-like illness and water borne-diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and acute gastroenteritis this rainy season.
Water-borne diseases are brought about by drinking contaminated water. This can be prevented if we drink only clean water and free from microorganism.
If residents are unsure of the water’s safety and potability, it is advised to boil the water for two to three minutes./PN
