Even physically fit people may get heat- related illnesses: DOH
THE Department of Health (DOH) is asking the public to take precautionary measures amid the intense heat being felt in different areas in the country, as heatrelated illnesses choose no age or health status.
DOH spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo on Wednesday said it is still best to drink lots of water and avoid the outdoors from 10 am to 4 pm.
"Walang pinipiling edad ang heat-related illnesses. Mas vulnerable lang po ang ating nakatatanda at nakababata. Kahit iyong physically fit kasi may mga kababayan tayo na sinasabi na kaya ko naman ito, matagal na akong nagtatrabaho or something like that. Ang sagot namin is mag-ingat pa rin po tayo," he said.
(Heat-related illnesses choose no age. The elderly and children are only the most vulnerable. Even the physically fit--since some say that they can endure the heat, have been working long, already. Our answer is to still take care.)
The DOH has recorded 34 heat-related illnesses based on its Event-based Surveillance and Response (ESR) system from January 1 to April 18, 2024.
Of the figure, six have died, though the agency is still verifying the actual cause of deaths.
"Kasi minsan nagkakaroon tayo ng mga tinatawag na 'heat-influenced'. Ito iyong sinabi na namin before na inatake sa puso dahil mas mainit ang panahon, mas tumaas ang blood pressure so strictly speaking, hindi siya heat stroke, pero heat-influenced siya," Domingo explained.
Among the 34 cases are 27 for verification, but which Domingo said were participants in a street dance activity between 10 am to 4 pm.
"So paalala natin sa ating mga kababayan, wala namang problema kung meron tayong mga fiesta, meron tayong mga selebrasyon pero piliin natin iyong oras," he added.
(We remind our countrymen: There is no problem with joining fiestas and celebrations but let's choose the time.)
The DOH said the "most number of heat related illnesses in recent years was recorded at 513 in the year 2023".
INDOOR AREAS
Aside from the outdoors, the Health department said indoor areas must also be well-ventilated: with electric fans or aircon, windows that can be easily opened, and a high ceiling is recommended for better air flow.
"Parang noong panahon na tayo'y nagiingat sa pandemya, ang gusto natin ventilation. Ngayon naman ang kalaban natin is temperaturang mataas," Domingo shared.
(As with the time we were keeping safe during the pandemic, we want good ventilation. Now our enemy is high temperatures.)
Hydrating is still a must, while the official said there is no prescribed energy drink.
"Maraming mga nagtatanong, kailangan ba may brand iyong sports drinks, mga refreshing? Hindi naman po. Ang sabi naman namin, walang pumipigil sa ating