Over 500 Mayon evacuees found to have respiratory infection

Some evacuees have been diagnosed with respiratory infection believed to be caused by the ashes spewed by the restive Mayon Volcano in Albay province, GMA News' Tina Panganiban-Perez reported on 24 Oras on Monday.

According to the Department of Health in Bicol, 516 evacuees have been diagnosed with respiratory tract infection.

"This is the 10th day of the Mayon eruption, naka-monitor na tayo ng mga leading causes of consultation sa health stations and these are the respiratory tract infections," said Dr. Napoleon Arevalo, director of DOH-Bicol.

Health workers are attending to the affected evacuees who are all in stable condition, the report said.

Arevalo said some of the affected evacuees have had the infection even before they evacuated as a result of the activities of Mayon Volcano.

"Even before nag-evacuate, meron nang sakit. Nagkataon lang na nung in-establish na 'yung health station, it was an opportunity for them to consult," he said.

The DOH warned residents that volcanic ash can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract and can aggravate respiratory conditions like bronchitis and asthma.

Volcanic ash can also cause skin problems, the DOH said.

The DOH advised residents to stay indoors if there is an ash fall and wear dust mask and eye protections.

Alert Level 4 has been raised over Mayon Volcano, indicating that hazardous explosion may happen in a matter of hours or days.

Classes were suspended in all levels in Albay on Monday. The Legazpi Domestic Airport was temporarily closed.

Meanwhile, Catholic devotees prayed to the Sto. Niño to keep everyone safe and stop the impending eruption of Mayon Volcano during the yearly procession in Legazpi City, the report said. —KBK, GMA News