DOH: Cases of acute respiratory infection rising in evacuation centers

People who are having cough and runny nose in evacuation centers have been increasing in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday. 

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the medical teams in evacuation centers are monitoring the acute respiratory infection especially among children, and are encouraging them to wear face masks to lower transmission. 

“Ang mga sintomas namin ngayon sa evacuation centers ay ‘yung ubo, sipon. Dumadami ang acute respiratory infection,” he said in an Unang Balita interview. 

(The symptoms we are observing now at evacuation centers are cough and runny nose. The acute respiratory infections are increasing.) 

“Mabilis kumalat ‘yan eh. Isang bata lang dalhin mo sa evacuation center, ‘pag umubo ‘yan, hawa-hawa na. So very important ang pagbabantay dito,” he added. 

(It spreads quickly. If a child with a cough was brought into an evacuation center, he could easily transmit it to others. So it is very important to monitor this situation.) 

Herbosa said they are also monitoring cases of diarrhea in evacuation centers. According to him, water purification tablets are given to families to ensure that their water is safe to drink. 

“Tinitignan namin ‘yung drinking water kasi ‘yun ang mahirap sa evacuation center eh, kung merong potable o safe drinking water,” he said. 

(We are checking their drinking water because the problem in evacuation centers is if there is potable or safe drinking water.) 

The DOH said Sunday that leptospirosis cases are also expected to increase within the next two weeks following the severe floods caused by Kristine.

The Health Department called on individuals who waded through floods to immediately go to health centers or consult with doctors in evacuation centers to know if they need to take antibiotics.

The incubation period of leptospirosis may range from two to 30 days, usually showing symptoms around one to two weeks after exposure to contaminated flood waters. Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain and headaches. —KBK, GMA Integrated News