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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH logs spike in influenza-like illnesses amid rainy season

DOH logs spike in influenza-like illnesses amid rainy season

Published Sep 5, 2024 09:05 am

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, Sept. 5, warned of a potential increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases during the rainy season.

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The Department of Health (DOH) sees an increase in influenza-like illnesses during the rainy season. (Keith Bacongco / Manila Bulletin

In a statement, the DOH noted that it had recorded 102,216 cases of ILIs in the country since the beginning of this year, from Jan. 1 to Aug. 24.

While the recorded ILIs were 18 percent lower than the 125,153 cases reported during the same period last year, the DOH noted that there has been an increase in cases over the last three to four weeks amid the rainy season.

The DOH also noted that all regions, except the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), have shown an “increase in cases” in the past four weeks.

The 9,491 cases logged from July 28 to Aug. 10, the DOH said, is 55 percent higher compared to the 6,124 cases reported during the earlier period from July 14 to 27.

There were 5,006 cases from Aug. 11 to 24, the DOH added. It also noted that there may be late reports of additional cases.

The DOH explained that ILIs are a group of illnesses that present with common symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, colds, body aches, and headaches.

The top three causes of ILIs in the Philippines for this reporting period, the DOH said, are Influenza A (777 cases, 28.5 percent); Rhinovirus (770 cases, 28.2 percent); and Enterovirus (675 cases, 24.7 percent).

Spike during the rainy season

As it observed an increase in cases, the DOH continued to advise the public to take proactive steps against ILIs and other WILD (Water- and food-borne diseases, Influenza-like illnesses, Leptospirosis, and Dengue) diseases that are common during the rainy season.

“As the rainy season continues, we encourage the public to take proactive measures against Influenza-like Illnesses,” said DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa.

Herbosa urged the public to practice good hygiene, such as washing hands often and wearing a face mask properly when sick or in crowded conditions, to safeguard everyone’s health.

Aside from eating well and staying active, Herbosa also underscored the importance of getting vaccinated.
The DOH said it is in the “process of procuring” influenza vaccines, with the bidding process ongoing. The submission and opening of bids is scheduled for Sept. 6.

“These same measures protect against many other illnesses,” Herbosa said. “Let us keep our case counts low,” he added.

Related Tags

DOH Secretary Dr. Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa rainy season DOH Influenza-like illnesses ILIs
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