DOH exec to flood victims: Use water-vinegar foot dip

To flood victims who may be bothered by alipunga (athlete's foot) but have no anti-fungal cream, a health official advised them to use a foot dip made from a mixture of water and vinegar. In an interview over dwIZ radio on Thursday, National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag said, "Nagbibigay kami ng anti-fungal cream subali't may home remedy rin. Kung ibababad sa pinaghalong tubig at suka malaki ang maitutulong noon." Tayag issued this advice to residents of provinces in Central Luzon hit by floods from typhoon "Pedring" (international name: Nesat). Tayag said the mixture may also be helpful to police and military teams taking part in rescue and relief efforts in flooded areas. Tayag said even though the Department of Health has prepared medicines for flood-affected areas, people will remain at risk while the floods have not yet subsided. "Naghanda kami ng gamot kaya lang habang nakababad sila sa tubig baha pabalik-balik yan," he said. Tayag said they are attempting to replace medicines in hospitals affected by the flooding. "Ang gamot sa isang ospital na nabaha pilit namin palitan, di pwede gamitin ang nasira ang gamot," he said. Since last weekend, floodwaters from "Pedring" had stranded residents in Bulacan province, and affected those in other Central Luzon areas such as Pampanga and Nueva Ecija. The floodwaters started to subside only after "Pedring" and another cyclone, "Quiel" (Nalgae), exited Philippine territory. - VVP, GMA News