Death of 3 people in Ilocos Norte likely due to heat stroke — report

Three people have died in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, possibly due to heat stroke, a report said Thursday. A report by Mariz Umali on “Kape at Balita” cited information from authorities of a local hospital saying the three victims (who the report did not identify) experienced body pain, tightening of chest, and breathing difficulty. Also, the report said the hospital's health personnel suspect the patients died due to heat stroke. PAGASA on Thursday said the temperature in the city on Wednesday hit 31.2 degrees Celsius. A Department of Health advisory said heat stroke happens when the body overheats but fails to cool down due to humid environment, direct exposure to sunlight, vigorous exercise in hot weather, and dehydration. Symptoms include faintness, dizziness, weakness, headache and a warm, flushed skin, which may worsen to an “emergency condition" after a very high fever of 41 degrees Celsius, rapid heartbeat, convulsion, delirium, and unconsciousness, it added. National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag said residents should take precautions against heat-related illnesses even as the summer season is still underway. Tayag said Filipinos should take vitamins, eat nutritious food, and maintain proper hygiene to avoid heat-related illnesses. He also urged the public to drink plenty of water and avoid direct exposure to the sun. Immediate treatment to heat stroke includes having a person lie down indoors with his or her legs elevated and sip cool water, according to the DOH advisory. Moreover, it said clothing must also be removed and cool water applied on the skin, including ice packs on armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin. On the other hand, PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong advised the public to start avoiding the sun from noon to 3 p.m., especially in Manila where temperatures now range between 24 and 32 degrees Celsius. PAGASA said summer may not come until next week or the second week of March. In the meantime, the country may still experience moments of cold weather due to amihan. — with a report by Marc Jayson Cayabyab /LBG, GMA News