File photo: A man wades in floodwater after a strong typhoon inundated parts of Bulacan province.
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) has raised a code white alert in anticipation of disease outbreaks in areas affected by Typhoon Ompong.
The potential super typhoon is expected to cause flooding. In such situations, the DOH advises parents to monitor their children and bar them from playing, wading, or swimming in floodwater where water-borne diseases usually lurk.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo explained that aside from leptospirosis, there are other diseases that people can acquire from exposure to rain and floodwater, starting with the most common fever and flu followed by dengue, diarrhea and cholera.
The health official added that floodwater is obviously contaminated with bacteria and viruses that can be harmful and fatal once they enter the human body.
“Pakiusap namin sa mga magulang, kasi po kapag talagang nagtampisaw ang bata sa tubig na marumi, ang lahat ng sakit ay nandoon na. Mayroong bacteria, mayroong fungus, may virus katulad ng leptospirosis,” he said.
Domingo referred in particular to areas near water drainage, toilets, and sewage systems.
“Hindi natin alam kung saan nangagaling ang tubig. Kasama na po iyong dumi galing sa imburnal, sa kalye at kapag nainom pa ng bata ito habang nagswi- swimming siya at naglalaro doon, papasok pa sa katawan niya. Napakarami pong sakit na makukuha sa marumuning tubig,” he warned.
The health official advises households to always store clean water especially during the onslaught of a typhoon for domestic use and more importantly for drinking.
“Ang water supply natin maaring ma-contaminate iyong pinagkukuhanan ng tubig lalo na iyong mga gagamitin na inumin or gagamiting pantimpla ng halimbawa ipapainom sa mga bata. Common din ang mga sakit na gastroenteritis, hepatitis at may mga mas grabe pa katulad ng typhoid (fever) at cholera,” Domingo warned.
The DOH reminds the public to immediately bring to the nearest hospital or health center anyone who is experiencing severe diarrhea or loose bowel movement of up to four times a day to prevent dehydration.
The agency has secured enough supply of oral re-hydration solution in rural health units nationwide. – Marje Pelayo (with a report from Aiko Miguel)
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