The Department of Health (DOH) today warned the public against diseases that may come with the rainy season. Apart from dengue, other illnesses such as influenza, leptospirosis and water-borne diseases like diarrhea are also common during this season.
“The rainy months bring in a plethora of diseases that are, fortunately, preventable. The most common of this band of illnesses is dengue, which is already downing people since the early part of the year, making it a disease to watch out for not only during this wet season but also during summer and other dry months as well,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.
To date, the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) of the DOH has already reported 12,734 dengue cases with 130 deaths nationwide since January up to July 28 this year. This figure, however, is 1.5% lower compared to the same last year, which listed 12,932 cases.
To win the battle against dengue, Duque advised the public to continue following the 4-S campaign of the DOH, which is to Search and destroy possible breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes like old tires, broken vases and bottle caps; wear long sleeve shirts and pants for Self-protection; Seek health professionals for fever that is already two days or more; and Saying no to indiscriminate fogging.
Meanwhile, the health chief said that the public should also watch out for other diseases that are also predominant during rainy season. “Influenza is very common during this season because this is the period where the climate changes from hot and humid to cold and rainy, people who get caught in heavy rains can catch the disease,” Duque said.
The DOH said that once a person catches influenza, he could easily infect others through coughing, talking and sneezing. To prevent from spreading the flu, they said that a sick person should cover his/her mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing.
“To avoid getting influenza, stay away from crowded places or distance yourself from people who are coughing or you suspect to be sick with influenza,” Duque noted.
The DOH said that another usual rainy season disease is leptospirosis. It is an illness that a person who has leg or feet wounds can get through wading in floodwaters, mud and vegetation contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats.
To avoid contracting it, the public must refrain from swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water or floodwaters and must use proper protection like boots and gloves when work requires exposure to contaminated water. Signs and symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain and reddish eyes. Early consultation is advised when symptoms set in.
On the other hand, the DOH also warned against water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis A and typhoid fever this season.
“There are many ways to avoid these illnesses. Drink only safe and clean water. Boil your drinking water, if you must. Keep food away from insects and rats by covering it. Wash and cook food properly. Use toilet properly and clean it regularly. Keep surroundings clean to prevent flies and other insects and rodents from breeding. And most importantly, wash hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet and before eating,” Duque advised.
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