BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – – The Department of Health – Cordillera reminds the public to be wary of Influenza – like illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI)
Influenza, a viral infection that attacks the respiratory tract including the nose, throat and lungs, is transmissible from one infected person to a healthy person through direct or indirect contact. It is preventable by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and continual practice of minimum public health standards especially when in crowded or enclosed spaces.
For SARI, it is a more complicated ILI case characterized by shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing and needs hospitalization.
Karen Lonogan of the DOH – CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, in a Kapihan media forum here, reported a total of 5,851 ILI and SARI cases recorded in Cordillera from January 1 to April 20.
The 5,851 cases recorded show a 265 percent increase compared to the 1,556 cases recorded during the same period last year.
Benguet recorded the most cases with 2,249, followed closely by Baguio City with 2,235 cases. Kalinga recorded 661 cases, Apayao with 216, Ifugao with 99, Abra with 81 and Mountain Province with 68.
Lonogan also shared that though cases are in the downtrend in the last three weeks, the public must remain vigilant as the erratic weather (hot afternoon, cold evening and occasional thunderstorm rain, especially in the mountainous part of Cordillera), may trigger respiratory infections such as ILI and SARI.
With the recent spike of Pertussis or whooping cough particularly in Baguio City and Benguet, Lonogan also reminded the public, especially parents or guardians of babies not to bring home infection, and to distance themselves from babies when they are not feeling well.
The DOH – CAR recorded 84 pertussis cases from January 1 to April 20, a sudden spike from the zero cases during the same period last year.
Lonogan shared that 25 of the Pertussis patients were six-month old babies as as they seldom go out of the house, most probably they are infected from older family members who are frequently going out.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection cause by a bacteria that spreads through droplets produced during coughing or sneezing. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
Health specialists from Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center and an official from the Highway Patrol Group promotethyroid disease and cervical cancer and Road Safety awareness. (CCD/PIA CAR)
