LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) on Saturday urged the public to strengthen immune system, practice regular hand washing and consult a doctor if needed to avoid the common summer diseases.
Dr. Anna Theresa De Guzman, provincial health officer, said on the common summer diseases, such as sore eyes, measles, skin diseases, heat stroke, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, rabies and typhoid fever, are preventable.
“It can be done by simply doing regular exercise, taking sufficient amount of vitamin C and proper diet to strengthen immune system and regular hand washing, which can avert the spread of virus and bacteria,” she said.
De Guzman stressed the importance of consulting physicians, especially when bitten by an animal to prevent rabies which is prevalent during summer season.
PHO expressed concern as one death due to rabies was already recorded this year. The victim is a 56-year-old man from Mangaldan, who was bitten by a stray dog at the public market but did not avail of an anti- rabies vaccine.
“Three weeks after he was bitten, the symptoms of rabies manifested and it was already too late for him”, De Guzman said as she reiterated that rabies is deadly.
De Guzman said the PHO continues to incorporate in their “Kalusugan Caravan” the measures to prevent dengue. Caravan includes a team giving health and medical services in all the barangays of the province.
“Although it is summer time, there are still thunderstorms that might produce stagnant waters as breeding areas for mosquitoes, so cleanliness is really important,” she said.
From January to February this year, three deaths due to dengue were already reported.
De Guzman said deaths due to dengue were unrelated to Dengvaxia vaccination. (PNA)
