Ask public to practice health protocol
(DOH-Eastern Visayas)
TACLOBAN CITY– Cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the region have increased by about 25 percent compared to last year.
The surge of ILI in the region prompted the Department of Health (DOH) to recommend to the public to practice and observe health protocols which include the wearing of face masks.
The DOH reported of 10,186 cases covering January up to December 2 of this year, up by 25 percent compared to the same period of last year, or 8,130 cases.
Covering also the same period, 21 persons died due to the ILI, lower by two compared to last year of the same period.
In Catarman, Northern Samar where a massive flooding was experienced last month, ILI was recorded at 62, covering the months of January to November.
Last year, however, there were no ILI cases were monitored by its rural health unit.
In Tacloban City, about 126 ILI cases were also monitored by the DOH.
With the surge of cases in the region, the DOH is asking the public to take precautions to avoid catching the ailment.
“While there was an increase of cases, we somehow anticipated it as we have experienced heavy rains,” Jelyn Malibago, the regional information officer of the DOH-8, said.
Thus they are advising the public to wear face masks, proper handwashing, proper ventilation, and seek early medical assistance, if needed.
Among the symptoms of the ailment include fever, cough, body aches, sore throat, and headache, among others.
Malibago said that as part of their precautionary measures, they are also conducting flu and pneumococcal vaccinations.
She said that those who are 18 years and above are qualified to receive the flu vaccine while those 45 years old and above are qualified for the pneumococcal inoculation.
She said that they have 150,000 vials of the vaccine which is equivalent to 1,500 persons.
“So we hope our people will take advantage of this vaccination. We also distributed vaccines to rural health units. Let’s protect ourselves,” Malibago said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
