DOH warns public against cholera

With summer continuing to heat up, the Department of Health (DOH) issued yesterday a public alert against cholera and other food- and water-borne diseases that are common at this time of year.

Dr. Eric Tayag, DOH infectious disease expert, said cholera, hepatitis A, diarrhea and typhoid usually become rampant in summer and peak during the rainy season.

"Food and water-borne diseases are very common during summer because of improper food handling, especially when people are going out for a picnic," Tayag said.

Government-run San Lazaro Hospital has so far recorded a total of 223 cases of typhoid and 221 of cholera from January to April 21.

Although the figures were much lower compared to the same period last year, Tayag said, "the public must be aware of the possible risk and take the necessary measures to avoid food- and water-borne diseases."

He advised people to refrain from eating food that spoils easily. Aside from diseases, Tayag said, food poisoning is also common during summer because food spoils easier because of the heat.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to eradicate polio, Health Secretary Alfredo Romualdez has ordered 200 government and private hospitals across the country to be on the lookout for undiagnosed polio cases.

The government wants the Philippines to be declared polio-free along with other countries in the Western Pacific region by the end of the year.

Romualdez said the majority of polio cases were children 15 years old and below who missed routine immunization. With hospitals acting as lookouts, Romualdez wants polio cases treated while in their early stages.

A team of experts from the World Health Organization will arrive in July to check if polio has been eradicated in the country.

The DOH has formed a team of polio experts that will work together with the hospitals.