The Department of Health-Region 6 warned the public in Negros Occidental yesterday against Ebola, and promoted the Iwas Paputok campaign, healthy lifestyle, and safety in food and toys for this holiday season.

Dr. Elvie Villalobos, DOH Medical Specialist III, said that monitoring of passengers, especially those coming home for Christmas, who arrive in airports and sea ports in Western Visayas, has been strengthened.

Ebola Virus Disease is a severe, infectious, often fatal disease in humans and non-human primates (monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees) caused by infection with Ebola virus, DOH records showed.

EVD is very infectious, kills in a short time, but it can be prevented, Villalobos said.

Meanwhile, the public is urged to avoid buying small, breakable, pointed or sharp toys, as gifts for children, to avoid injuries and choking. The buyers should choose toys suited to the child’s age, under adult supervision.

The DOH is also reminding the public to stay healthy during the holidays by preparing early for the season to avoid stress, buying registered products to ensure safety, preparing well-balanced holiday meals, and ensuring cleanliness and freshness of the food being prepared to avoid poisoning.

It also stressed the need to eat only the right amount of food at parties and gatherings, to drink plenty of liquids, walk, run, dance or exercising regularly, get enough sleep, and avoid too much alcohol and crowded areas.

The DOH hopes to have zero injuries during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, and is appealing to the public to enjoy the holiday in a safe way by not using firecrackers and firing guns.*SGG

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