By Brian Campued
The Department of Health (DOH) has reminded those injured by fireworks to get tetanus shots as cases continue to rise after the New Year revelries due to late reporting.
Based on reports from 62 sentinel hospitals across the country from Dec. 21, 2025 to 4:00 a.m. of Jan. 3, 2026, cases of firework-related injuries (FWRIs) reached 655—20% lower than the data recorded during the same period in 2024-2025 holiday season.
According to the DOH, more than half of the total number of victims, or 351, were aged 19 and below. Nineteen of the victims, 11 of them minors, lost either their hands or fingers.
“Isang 4 years old ang pinakabata na naputulan ng apat na daliri sa kanang kamay matapos masabugan ng hindi matukoy na uri ng paputok,” the Health department said.
Most injuries were caused by unidentified fireworks, followed by Kwitis and 5-Star.
In its advisory on Saturday, the DOH said that it may take three to 21 days before symptoms of tetanus infection appear in blast victims.
“Lahat ng nakaranas ng paputok, gaano man kaliit ang sugat, ay dapat magpakonsulta sa pinakamalapit na ospital upang maiwasan ang tetanus. Ang mga sintomas ay hindi lumalabas hanggang mga 8 araw, ang ilan ay hanggang 21 araw pagkatapos, at maaari itong ikamatay. May bakuna laban sa tetanus na makukuha sa mga ospital,” DOJ Spokesperson, ASec. Albert Domingo previously said.
Road-crash incidents
Meanwhile, cases of road crash injuries from Dec. 21, 2025 to Jan. 2, 2026 reached 1,113—up by about 82% compared to data from 2024.
Nearly 50% of the cases, or 508, involved riders aged 15 to 29.
Some 87%, or 965, did not wear helmets and seatbelts, while 787 involved motorcycle road crashes. About 135 victims were found to be intoxicated.
Seven reportedly died, with six fatalities involving motorcycles, while one was a pedestrian.
The DOH said data on road crash casualties were recorded from 10 sentinel hospitals across the country.
Motorists are reminded to use proper safety gears, approved by the Department of Trade and Industry; follow speed limits and road signs; and avoid driving when tired or drunk.
Non-communicable diseases, mental health calls
The DOH likewise recorded a total of 349 cases of non-communicable diseases between Dec. 21 to Jan. 2, up by 9% from the same period in 2024–2025.
Of the total figure, at least 205 suffered from acute stroke, 95 from acute coronary syndrome, and 49 from bronchial asthma.
DOH Sec. Ted Herbosa urged the public to practice healthy habits, such as being more physically active and eating a balanced meal.
“Exercise is medicine—prescription siya against chronic lifestyle illnesses, yung stroke, heart attack, diabetes. All of that can be treated with exercise,” Herbosa said in a radio program.
Calls to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) hotline also reached 961 during the same monitoring period.
The DOH said most mental health concerns involved relationship problems, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
Those who may be struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts are encouraged to reach out to the NCMH help line 1553 via landline or at 0917-899-8727 and 0919-057-1553 via mobile for immediate psychological first aid and free mental health consultation.
READ MORE: Feeling the holiday blues? Here’s what you can do about it, according to NCMH
-jpv
