Respiratory infection, other illnesses hit Kanlaon evacuees

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — After the government ordered a forced evacuation among residents within the danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano, evacuees are suffering from acute respiratory infection and other illnesses, the Department of Health in Negros Island Region reported yesterday.

According to the DOH-NIR Center for Health Development, 74 evacuees have acute respiratory infection while 71 others were logged for other illnesses.

The cases were discovered after the DOH deployed 77 medical personnel to 32 evacuation centers in La Castellana, the cities of Bago, La Carlota and San Carlos in Negros Occidental and Canlaon in Negros Oriental.

Kanlaon Volcano spewed ash anew yesterday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said as it recorded at least 23 volcanic earthquakes.

The volcano also emitted 3,469 tons of sulfur dioxide per day, producing plumes up to 500 meters high that drifted southwest.

Teresito Bacolcol, Phivolcs director, said in an interview with PTV on Saturday that the rise and decrease of sulfur dioxide emissions in Kanlaon is a sign that the volcano might be gearing up for a bigger eruption.

Phivolcs has maintained Alert Level 3 in the vicinity, saying Kanlaon remains inflated.

It warned residents of hazards that may include sudden explosive eruption, pyroclastic density current, ashfall and rockfall and lahars during heavy rains.

A total of 4,360 families, composed of 14,235 people, are occupying various evacuation centers.

According to the DOH, it has distributed 135,329 assorted medicines, 87,200 N15 masks and 48,500 face masks, 17,000 aquatabs, 349 nebulizer kits and several thousand surgical gloves and goggles.