BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) has recorded a significant drop in the number of several illnesses in January this year as compared to the same month in 2020.
In its disease surveillance report, DOH data showed that from Jan. 1-30, influenza-like cases dropped to 69 as compared to the 678 -- a 130 percent decrease -- recorded in the same period last year; typhoid and paratyphoid cases with 29 cases from 266; and dengue with 35 cases from 251.
The three illnesses logged the highest number of cases last year.
Other illnesses, including viral hepatitis B and C, bacterial meningitis, non-neonatal tetanus, leptospirosis, and acute bloody diarrhea also logged decreases in cases during the first month of this year.
Only one measles case was recorded in January as compared to the 106 in the same month last year.
Dr. Ruby Constantino, DOH regional director, attributed the decrease in the number of illnesses to the observance of health protocols.
“The practice to prevent getting infected with Covid-19 applies to other diseases. Iwas lamok, paglilinis ng paligid at ng katawan (avoid being bitten by mosquitos, cleaning of the environment and our bodies) is also protecting us from acquiring other diseases,” Constantino said.
Geeny Anne Austria, a nurse at the DOH-CAR's Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, said the record reflected those that are attended to and reported by the medical professionals.
The cases are among the top illnesses regularly monitored by the department. (PNA)
