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Category: Press Release & Advisories

dengue

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Category: Press Release & Advisories

Sore Eyes, also known as conjunctivitis, is manifested in redness and inflammation of the membranes (conjunctiva) covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes in the inner part of the eyelids. Sore eyes can be caused by virus infection (Adenoviruses) or chemicals. Its incubation period, or time from exposure to onset of symptoms, is usually 5-12 days.

Keeping our hands clean at all times is the key to prevent sore eyes as this can be transmitted through direct contact with hands contaminated with eye secretions of an infected person; or touching the eyes with hands that got in contact with surfaces, instruments, eye solutions or make-ups contaminated with the virus from an infected person.

Aside from proper hand-washing, the Department of Health (DOH) issued the following advisory to prevent sore eyes:
• Minimize hand-to-eye contact.
• Use only own towels, eye drops, make-ups and applicators, sunglasses or eye glasses.
• Wear eye/sunglasses on windy days to protect one’s eyes from foreign particles.
• Avoid crowded places.
• Wash clothes, towels, pillow cases and anything else which may have come in contact with an infected person.

The DOH said there is no specific treatment during the acute phase (1-2 weeks). But if eye discharge is profuse and pus-like or if the patient develops blurring of vision or severe pain, it is better to consult with an ophthalmologist.

 

Source: Philippine Health Advisories 2012

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Category: Press Release & Advisories

With the onset of the rainy season, the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office VI cautions the public against WILD diseases. WILD, which stands for Waterborne diseases, Influenza, Leptospirosis and Dengue, are most likely to occur or spread during this season.

Waterborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms that people may get through ingestion of contaminated food or drinks or wading in floodwaters. These microorganisms cause cholera, diarrhea, Hepatitis A and typhoid fever.

Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system. Its symptoms include fever of at least 38OC, headache, runny nose, sore throat, cough and sometimes muscle or joint pains. Young children, older adults, pregnant women and people who have weakened immune system are highly susceptible to flu. Thus, the DOH stressed the importance of eating foods that are healthy and from safe sources to boost up one’s immune system. It is strongly advised to practice proper hand washing using soap and clean water to help prevent the spread of infections.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by animals especially rodents and other vermin. This can infect people through ingestion of contaminated food or water or through open wounds and mucous membranes - such as eyes, nose, sinuses and mouth-- while wading in floodwaters. The DOH emphasized the use of proper protection like boots and gloves which shall be observed when at work and exposed to contaminated elements. It is also advised to keep your household clean by controlling rodents using rat traps or rat poison.

Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are acute viral infections that affect infants, young children and adults. The virus is transmitted by a day-biting mosquito called Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Dengue symptoms include sudden onset of high fever which may last from two (2) to seven (7) days, joint and muscle pain, weakness, skin rashes, abdominal pain, nose bleeding when fever starts to subside, vomiting of coffee-colored matter, dark- colored stools and difficulty of breathing.

To prevent dengue, the DOH urged the public to observe the “Four o’clock Habit: Stop, Look and Listen.” This is a campaign strategy of the DOH in partnership with local government units to encourage community members to search and destroy mosquito-breeding places starting at 4:00 pm. The campaign stands for STOP whatever you are doing; LOOK inside and outside your house to search and destroy possible mosquito breeding places; and LISTEN to barangay officials about the dengue status of your barangay.

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The Department of Health Regional Office VI (DOH RO VI) advises the public to help protect themselves from respiratory illnesses such as the MERS-CoV by taking everyday preventive actions.

MERS-CoV or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus is a virus that affects the respiratory systems particularly the lungs and the breathing tubes. MERS was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Most patients with MERS-CoV infection develop severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Some people also had gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea and nausea/vomiting.

MERS-CoV can spread through close contact with an infected person or through his/her body fluids.

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Category: Press Release & Advisories
   
paputokTHE guidance and attention of parents to their children’s activities is very important in ensuring their safety, especially during the New Year Season.
 
The Department of Health Regional Office VI (DOH RO VI) reported that most firecracker-related victims during the Christmas and New Year celebrations were children aged 10 years old and below, and those aged between 11 and 20 years old.
 
Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) Regional Coordinator of the DOH RO VI, reported that the official count of firecracker-related injuries recorded from December 21, 2014 to January 5, 2015 was 249. This is 15% lower than the same period recorded last year of 292.
 
Of the 249 cases, around 34% belonged to the 0-10 year old bracket while another 32% belonged to the 11-20 age group. Majority of the victims were males at 87%. DOH RO VI also noted that 71% of the blast victims were active users.
 
“Active means they were the ones holding or lighting the firecracker. But we also had several cases of passive victims or those who were injured while passing by or watching a firecracker being lighted,” she said.
 
Firecracker-related injuries peaked during January 1 and 2 when sentinel and non-sentinel hospitals submitted their reports through the DOH’s Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS)-AksyonPaputok Injury Reduction (APIR) under the VIPP and through non-online submission from Municipal/City Health Offices and other hospitals not yet trained in ONEISS.
 
Of the 249 cases, the Province of Negros Occidental posted the highest number of firecracker-related victims with 99. This was followed by Iloilo Province with 49, Iloilo City with 25, Capiz Province with 24 and Bacolod City with 23. There were 15 reported cases in Aklan, eight in Antique and six in Guimaras. The injuries were mostly caused by “kamara,” “kwitis” and triangle.
Two cases of “kwitis” and “pop pop” firecracker ingestions were also recorded involving a two-year-old boy from Bacolod City and an eight-year-old boy from Madalag, Aklan.
 
The DOH RO VI also recorded five cases of stray bullets- in Jordan, Guimaras; Mandurriao and La Paz districts in Iloilo City; and in Pototan and Lemery in Iloilo Province.
 
While the total cases recorded this year is 15% lower than last year’s data of 292, there is still a need to continuously remind the public about the dangers that fireworks and firecrackers bring. Parents and guardians play an important role in ensuring that their young children are kept away from firecracker use.
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