Too close for comfort: Evacuees get skin disease, diarrhea
Respiratory infections, skin diseases and diarrhea were among the conditions hounding many Filipinos from Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Luzon who were affected by recent heavy rain and floods.
The Department of Health said Friday at least 2,000 Filipinos so far were found ill in evacuation and health centers in Metro Manila Central Luzon and Southern Luzon.
“As of August 9, 2012, the leading causes of consultations were acute respiratory infections, febrile illness (fever), skin diseases, minor injuries and diarrhea,” it said.
It said acute respiratory infections comprise 60 percent of these consultations, though it stressed no outbreaks were detected.
The DOH said it will regularly assess the health status of evacuation centers to ensure the effectiveness of camp management.
Early decamping or providing resettlement will most likely decrease health risks, it said.
“Better camp management in evacuation centers will ensure that disease outbreaks will be prevented,” added DOH Secretary Enrique Ona.
Also, the DOH asured a stable supply and prices of essential medicines, including antibiotics such as amoxicillin and doxycycline.
It also assured stable prices for paracetamol, salbutamol, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin.
Health teams deployed vs disease outbreaks
Ona also ordered the deployment of health teams to flood-affected areas in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Luzon to determine the health status of displaced families and address priority health needs.
“Health teams from the Department of Health will provide medical consultations and public health services combined to localities flooded due to the southwest monsoon,” he said.
The DOH is also working with local governments by augmenting supplies of essential medicines including antibiotics, oral rehydration salt solution and vitamin A for children.
It is also providing public health services to ensure adequate and safe water supply, toilet facilities and proper waste disposal in all evacuation centers.
“Our health teams are assisting our local governments in delivering health services for their constituents, thus providing a small window of opportunity for them to completely recover,” Ona said.
Meanwhile, Ona said the use of doxycycline to prevent leptospirosis is not recommended for individual use but for large populations under threat of exposure to contaminated floodwaters or muddy environments.
DOH said they will provide free doxycycline for individuals engaged in rescue and relief efforts and residents staying in evacuation centers.
Source: GMA News
Category: Health alert
