DOH warns against possible spread of H1N1 in evacuation centers

MALOLOS, Bulacan — The Department of Health on Wednesday warned against possible spread on H1N1 (a type of Influenza or flu) in evacuation centers in the province. At a briefing during the regional development council (RDC) meeting there, DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag reported that H1N1 is among the diseases they are monitoring from the evacuees who are suffering from upper respiratory diseases. "Binabantayan namin ang H1N1 pero wala pa namang confirmed case," he said. Tayag said DOH personnel would conduct hospital visits and will get swabs from those suffering from upper respiratory illness. He said H1N1 could easily be transmitted in overcrowded evacuation centers through saliva droplets. The DOH is also monitoring the possible spread of acute water diarrhea or cholera, dysentery, dengue, typhoid fever and leptospirosis. The health department is also concerned with inadequate number of portable toilets in evacuation centers, particularly in Calumpit and Hagonoy towns. Tayag said the ideal ratio is one portable toilet for 20 people but at present 50 to 150 people are using one toilet. The DOH also expressed concern on the practice of some residents to throw their garbage and human waste in the floodwater. Tayag said they recommended the use of garbage boat to collect the garbage and human waste from flooded houses. "Baka magkaroon tayo ng dagat ng mikrobyo," he warned. The RDC meeting was attended by President Benigno Aquino III, some of his Cabinet members and local government officials. — LBG, GMA News