ILOILO CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday warned the public of water-borne, influenza, leptospirosis and dengue (WILD) diseases this rainy season.
Dr. Elvie Villalobos, head of the infectious cluster of the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas, said that water-borne diseases include cholera, diarrhea, acute gastroenteritis and typhoid fever.
These illnesses are brought about by drinking contaminated water.
“These can be prevented if we drink only clean water and free from micro-organism,” he said.
Safe drinking water can be sourced from water refilling or water districts that have undergone bacteriological test, he said.
If residents are unsure of the water’s safety and potability, Villalobos added the people should boil the water for two to three minutes.
Influenza is common during the rainy season due to virus proliferation. To prevent the spread of the virus, he said those who are infected should cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze.
He also advised to observe hand-washing to avoid transfer of the virus. It would be better also if they avail of the flu vaccine once a year, especially for adults or those considered as high risk, he added.
Leptospirosis, on the other hand, is caused by urine of infected rats. He explained that the chance of getting the infection is high when a person who has open wound or laceration gets in contact with the rat’s urine through floodwaters.
To prevent this, he recommended the use of protective measures such as boots if they wade in dirty waters or come up with rats elimination drive.
Dengue can be prevented by 4S which include search and destroy mosquito breeding places, self-protection, seek early consultation during the early signs of dengue and say no to indiscriminate fogging, he said. (Perla Lena/PNA)
