TYPHOON RELATED UPDATES

Submitted by pax2011 on October 7, 2011 - 12:38
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DENGUE CASES NATIONWIDE STILL LOWER THAN LAST YEAR
Press Release/7 October 2011
The Department of Health (DOH) today reported that dengue cases nationwide from January to September 24th of this year continue to decrease, the count now being at 83,459 cases, which is 22.40% lower compared to the same period last year. There were 467 deaths.
For the same period last year, cases reached 107,550 with 668 deaths.
July and August represent the peak months for dengue. Cases in July and August this year decreased by 41.99% compared to last year.
The bulk of Dengue cases are coming from the National Capital Region (18,085) Central Luzon (18,081), and CALABARZON (11,622). These three regions, along with Ilocos and Cagayan Valley are the only regions which registered higher numbers compared to last year. In the National Capital Region, most cases were from Quezon City (5,899), Manila (2,319), Kalookan City (2,086), Valenzuela (1,197), and Pasig (1,002).
Ages of affected individuals ranged from less than one month to 92 years old. Majority (53%) of reported cases were male. Most (41%) belonged to the 1-10 years age group.
“While we see that dengue cases are lower nationwide, Metro Manila and Central Luzon have been hit hardest by the disease” said Secretary Enrique Ona. “We need to double our control efforts in the region especially after the floods from the recent typhoons."
The health chief has instructed the DOH Regional Offices to work closely to with the concerned local government units in scaling up the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue or ABaKaDa campaign to significantly reduce the number of dengue cases. ABaKaDaincludes community clean-up drives, fogging in areas with high incidence, and other vector control initiatives.
 
“I also call on the public to be conscious of the threat of dengue and emphasize the importance of their cooperation in the drive against it, he said, adding that they should also continue maintaining cleanliness to ensure that all possible mosquito breeding sites are destroyed or discarded. Some of the common breeding sites of the Aedes Aegypti are empty softdrink bottles, bamboo husks, old tires, and flower vases.
To prevent complications and deaths, Ona advised all suspected dengue cases to seek immediate medical consultation for proper case management. Some of the disease’s signs and symptoms include continuous high fever that lasts for 2-7 days, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, body weakness, bleeding from the nose and gums, and persistent red spots on the face, extremities and trunk.
“Let us continue to work together to finally control this menace,” concluded Sec. Ona.
 
 
WATCH OUT FOR SIGNS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS – DOH
Press Release/7 October 2011

Health Secretary Enrique Ona today advised the public that those who have waded in floodwaters to watch out for signs and symptoms of leptospirosis and to bring themselves in for a checkup at a health facility as the number of cases reported nationwide is increasing.

From the month of January up to September 24th of this year, there were 2,061 cases of leptospirosis reported. This figure is 194.8% higher compared to the number of cases in the same period of last year (699 cases). There were 156 deaths already reported.

“Leptospirosis is an infection commonly transmitted to humans from water that has been contaminated by animal urine (usually rats), and comes in contact with lesion[s] in the skin, eyes, or with the mucous membranes,” the health chief explained.

Most cases came from Western Visayas (824 cases), National Capital Region (411), Central Luzon (166), and Davao (131). Ages of affected individuals ranged from less than one year to 77 years. Majority (88.2%) of the cases were male. Most (29.8%) of the cases belonged to the 20-29 years age group.

Signs and symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, chills and intense headache. They appear 4-14 days after exposure to contaminated flood waters or even mud.These maybe accompanied by red eyes, jaundice, tea-colored urine and difficulty of urination. In extreme cases, complications like meningitis, renal failure and respiratory distress may arise and lead to death.

Early treatment with antibiotics in the hospital is known to prevent fatal complications. It is also possible to prevent illness with preventive intake of antibiotics among those who are continually exposed and who are still asymptomatic. The DOH has begun preventive treatment in heavily flooded areas.

 
High risk individuals include mostly men because of their constant exposure to contaminated flood waters. Wearing protective gear such as boots or even wearing long pants can reduce the risk from exposure. The bacteria usually find their way through abraded skin or even just minor cuts.
“The rains are not yet over and many areas are still flooded because of the recent typhoons, so we are reiterating our advice to the people watch out for these signs and symptoms and to go the nearest health facility to have themselves checked up,” Ona concluded.
 
DOH SENDS MEDICAL TEAMS, DRUGS, VACCINES AND WATER DISENFECTANT TO EVACUATION CENTERS
Press Release/7 October 2011
 
The Department of Health (DOH) today reported that it has on-going coordination efforts with the Local Government Units and has deployed eleven medical teams to evacuation centers in Bulacan and Pampanga.
 
The medical teams, from different hospitals in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, provided basic health services to those who were displaced by recent typhoons Pedring and Quiel. An advanced team was deployed by DOH on October 1, 2011 to assess the affected populations. A total of 4,748 consultations were recorded. Evacuees are strongly advised to use safe water, and practice sanitation in the disposal of garbage and human waste and personal hygiene.
 
Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona visited some affected barangays in Bulacan with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The President, together with his cabinet members and local officials, held a dialogue on the government’s efforts to rehabilitate the affected areas in Central Luzon.
 
The DOH, through its regional office in Central Luzon, provided water disinfectants in areas without potable water supply, allocated Doxycycline prophylaxis for the prevention of leptospirosis, coordinated the immediate provision of measles vaccination, and recommended the administration of vitamin A to children below five years old in evacuation centers.
 
Likewise, the DOH also mobilized all its regional nurses for vaccination activities. They also conducted health education activities by providing information and education materials to displaced families.
 
“We wish to inform everyone that the government is on top of the situation and is doing its best to help all those affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel,” Ona said.
 
As of October 6, the DOH provided assorted drugs, medicines and manpower to Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon amounting to P3.2 million. DOH-Ilocos region provided assorted drugs and medicines to the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte amounting to P350,605.04; DOH-Cagayan Valley provided assorted drugs and medicines to the provinces of Cagayan, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino, and Isabela amounting to P430,034.86; DOH-Central Luzon provided assorted drugs and medicines to Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, and Nueva Ecija amounting to P888,629.04
 
DOH-CALABARZON also provided assorted drug and medicines to Rizal province amounting to P60,000.00; DOH-Cordillera Administrative Region provided water containers to Tuba, Benguet amounting to P67,200.00, while DOH-Bicol Region and DOH-National Capital Region both provided assorted drugs and medicines amounting to P350,00.00, and P42,000.00, respectively. Cost of assistance reached to P 5,457,263.95.
 
Partners from UN Organizations and other international partners also provided logistical support to the affected areas through the Department of Health.
 
As of October 6, a total of 71 deaths and 55 injuries were recorded as an aftermath of the typhoons. Acute respiratory infection, skin diseases, high blood pressure, fever, loose watery stool were the top leading causes of consultation in all evacuation centers. So far, no outbreaks and deaths from communicable diseases have been reported
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