DOH warns vs. leptospirosis, dengue, other common illnesses during rainy season

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The Department of Health (DOH) has cautioned the public against common illnesses during the rainy season, such as waterborne-diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis, and dengue, also known as WILD. 

According to Katrina Son's report in "Balitanghali" Monday, athlete's foot or alipunga is also common during the rainy season, especially when one wades through flood water. 

Princess delos Santos, a resident of Barangay Roxas District in Quezon City, has experienced getting infected with athlete's foot since their area is flood-prone. 

"Maputik sobrang putik t'as madumi, kahit anong bota mo po," she said. 

This goes the same for 68-year-old Teresita Orden, who said, "Halos lahat dito ng tao nagkaka-alipunga 'pag bumabaha. Makirot, masakit, talagang matindi ang sakit." 

Per the report, medications are free in their health center in Barangay Roxas District. The barangay also conducts general cleaning of the area in anticipation of flooding. 

"Kapag tag-ulan,  unang binabantayan naming ay dengue, Bago dumating ang mga pagbaha, meron akong paglilinis ang mga estero, pag spraying ng kapaligiran," said Melchor D. Tuddao, executive officer of Roxas District's Barangay Public and Security Office (BPSO). 

The DOH has recorded 6,217 dengue cases from May 11-24, a 6% increase from the 6,192 dengue cases logged from April 27-May 10. 

"'Yung WIL, waterborne, influenza-like, saka si leptospirosis wala pa kami napansin na kakaiba. Si dengue 'yung aming pinakahuling tala bagamat 'di pa siya malaki 'yung pagtaas ay alam natin na nagsisimula na. Mayroon na tayong nakita na kung hindi ako nagkakamali 6 o 5 % na increase on a week-by-week basis kasi alam natin tag-ulan na so talagang magsisimulan na 'yan," said DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo in an interview with Super Radyo DZBB.

Domingo noted, however, that this increase in dengue cases is no cause for alarm.

"It's not alarming dahil alam natin na ito 'yung panahon talaga na tumataas. Patuloy 'yung operation ng ating dengue fast lane..." he said.

"Kapag nakita ng doctor o nurse na mukha kang dengue, 'yung mga sintomas mo, 'yung pinanggalingan mukhang kinagat ng lamok, ganiyan, ibig sabihin 'yung processing time mo bibilisan namin.''

—CDC, GMA Integrated News