DOH Cagayan Valley monitors evacuation centers for ‘WILD’ diseases

The Department of Health (DOH) Cagayan Valley said on Monday is monitoring evacuation centers in the region for the possible spread of waterborne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis, and dengue—otherwise known as "W.I.L.D." diseases—after Typhoon Uwan. 

The agency said about 10,200 families or 31,168 individuals are currently in evacuation centers in five provinces in the region due to the onslaught of Typhoon Uwan.

“The DOH Cagayan Valley is also conducting Dengue Rapid Diagnostic Tests on the evacuees. Monitoring of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension also continues,” it said in a statement. 

The health department said that P1 million worth of hygiene and sanitation items were distributed to the evacuees, including aquatabs, water containers, and hygiene kits. 

Infographic from DOH Cagayan Valley

It also distributed P1.4 million worth of health commodities such as vitamins, medicines for cough, cold, and fever, including cotrimoxazole, amoxicillin, mefenamic acid, paracetamol, ORS, Lagundi, vitamin A, and skin ointment.

It also distributed medicines for dizziness, stomach pain, and cough, and first aid kits to 35,710 individuals in Central Luzon evacuation centers. Free consultation was also provided to the evacuees. 

“The DOH Central Luzon also prepared 45,300 tablets of doxycycline which can be prescribed to those who could not avoid wading through floodwaters,” the DOH said. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News