DOH: New Year revelry injuries surpass 2010-11 levels

The number of injuries related to the New Year revelry this year has surpassed the previous year's levels, the Department of Health said Wednesday. National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag said they have recorded 949 injuries between Dec. 21 and Jan. 3, two percent more than the previous year. "Injuries reach(ed) 949 now, (two percent) higher than 2010-['11]," Tayag said in a post on his Twitter account. He said that of the 949 injuries, 916 were from fireworks and 28 from stray bullets. Five cases were due to fireworks ingestion. Tayag reiterated his advice to those injured to get their tetanus shots soonest. Before Wednesday's figures, the number of revelry-related injuries to welcome 2012 had been lower than during the same period last year. A separate report by radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo said the DOH had recorded only 926 revelry-related injuries in the same period in 2010-2011. The dzBB report said that of this year's revelry-related injuries, 664 were from Metro Manila. It also quoted Tayag as saying the leading causes of the fireworks-related injuries included the piccolo, kwitis, Five-Star, fountain, and luces. Tayag said they may recommend to the Philippine National Police not to allow the manufacture and sale of such fireworks. — LBG, GMA News