Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa issued a warning about the risks of heat-related illnesses during the “summer” season.

In an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo on Monday, March 11, he emphasized that the primary cause of illness during this period is heat-related ailments, particularly for individuals engaged in outdoor occupations such as sidewalk vendors, construction workers, and traffic enforcers.

"Yung mga nagtatrabaho sa labas katulad ng mga sidewalk vendors, construction workers, at traffic enforcers, kailangan magpahinga every two hours (For those working outdoors like sidewalk vendors, construction workers, and traffic enforcers, they need to take a break every two hours)," he said.

Stressing the importance of seeking shade to cool down, Herbosa underscored the critical need for hydration to prevent dehydration, a common consequence of prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

"Maaari din itong maging heat fatigue na maaaring maging heat stroke, 'yung hinihimatay na sa init (This could also lead to heat fatigue, which could turn into heat stroke, where one faints due to the heat)," he noted.

Moreover, Herbosa highlighted the potential for heat-related ailments among individuals participating in recreational activities such as sports, biking, walking, and jogging, as well as beachgoers.

He cautioned against the progression from heat fatigue to heat stroke, urging vigilance and proactive measures to prevent such occurrences.

In addition to heat-related illnesses, Herbosa also addressed the prevalence of diarrhea during the summer months, attributing it to the rapid spoilage of food, particularly reheated items left out for extended periods.

"Kasi kapag tag-init ay mabilis masira ang pagkain lalo na ang mga re-heated food at itinabi lang, ilang oras lang sira na (Because during the hot season, food tends to spoil quickly, especially reheated food left out for a few hours)."

He further warned about the “contamination” of the water distribution system, leading to an increase in acute gastrointestinal illnesses.

Herbosa emphasized the importance of caring for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and children, who are more susceptible to dehydration due to their outdoor activities and underlying health conditions.

"Pag ingatan ang mga may edad at mga bata dahil ito ang mga prone sa dehydration dahil laro ng laro sa labas at ang mga matatanda naman ay may highblood o may sakit (Take care of the elderly and children because they are prone to dehydration, as children often play outside and the elderly may have hypertension or other illnesses)," he said.

The Health chief urged the public to remain vigilant, stay hydrated, seek shelter from the sun, and practice cooling measures to mitigate the risks associated with summer heat.