DOH – Bicol: Watch our El Niño – related illnesses

 

NAGA CITYーCiting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) advisory, the Department of Health (DOH) Bicol regional office warned the public of the harmful effects of the prevailing El Niño phenomenon on Tuesday.

DOH – Bicol Center for Health Development advised the public to take precautions against diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, cholera, heat stroke, typhoid fever, paralytic shellfish poisoning, and leptospirosis amid the strong El Niño season.

Recently, it was reported by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that the coastal waters in the town of Milagros, Masbate are positive for paralytic shellfish poison along with other coastal areas of the country.

“Avoid eating shellfish, alamang, and small fish sourced from red tide-positive coastal water,” the DOH said in a statement.

The public was likewise advised to consult the nearest healthcare providers for health-related concerns due to the extreme heat.

According to Pagasa, a strong and mature El Niño will continue through end of February and may persist until May 2024.(Maida Boaragay, INQUIRER intern)