Daily Star logoNegros Oriental
Dumaguete City, PhilippinesMonday, January 9, 2012
Front Page
Negros Oriental
Star Business
Opinion
Sports
Police Beat
Star Life
People & Events
Eguide
Events
Schedules
Obituaries
Congratulations
Classified Ads
 
Upper respiratory infections
rise in Dumaguete, Neg.Or.

BY JUDY F. PARTLOW

Health officials are monitoring reports of upper respiratory infections in Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City.

While no data is available yet, the Department of Health-Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit headed by Dr. Socrates Villamor said viral infections, such as the common cold, are notably high.

Factors being considered include the cold climate and exposure of homeless families, displaced since December 17 by Tropical Storm Sendong, Villamor said.

The flood victims, temporarily sheltered at evacuation centers, are more vulnerable to upper respiratory infections and are also more prone to diarrhea and leptospirosis, diseases that usually surface after flooding incidents, Villamor added.

Dr. Cesar Antonio Ligo, a pulmonologist, said that the two private hospitals in Dumaguete have reported full admissions in recent weeks. The Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, is also overflowing with patients.

Local government units have been deploying doctors and nurses in flood-stricken areas to attend to the medical and health needs of flood victims.  Villamor said his office is coordinating with rural health doctors and city and municipal health offices to monitor possible outbreak of diseases in relation to the Dec. 17 flood.

At the medical mission conducted recently by the Philippine Medical Association in areas in Negros Oriental, many doctors observed a high number of respiratory illnesses among the flood victims, Villamor added.*JFP

 

back to top

Negros Oriental
ButtonProphylactic treatment given to prevent outbreak
ButtonUpper respiratory infections rise in Dumaguete, Neg.Or.
Button
BPO jobs await skilled graduates
Button
Army, OPAPP set up dev’t community
ButtonPeaceful resolution of feuding FB’s seen
Button Transparency gab held