DOH urged to issue advisories on seasonal illnesses, health issues
SENATOR Francis “Tol” Tolentino urged the Department of Health on Saturday to issue advisories to guide the public on seasonal illnesses and health issues that emerged throughout the year.
Tolentino is concerned about the increasing cases of measles and pertussis, the recent spike in rabies infection in the country, and other factors like weather, volcanic activity, or potable water disruptions that affect public health.
In consultation with Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, spokesperson of the DOH, the lawmaker wants the health agency to raise people’s awareness regarding illnesses that emerge because of the season, disruptions, and bacterial and viral infections.
According to Domingo, the number of recorded cases nationwide from January to March reached 1,189 for measles, 862 for pertussis with 49 deaths, and 89 for rabies.
He said measles and pertussis are included in the ‘routine immunization’ as preventable diseases, but the government failed to implement immunization for these diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Domingo said that once infected with rabies, it results in death, and immunization is carried out to the carriers of the virus, including cats and dogs.
Given the country’s abundance of herbal plants, Tolentino inquired about using herbal medicines for measles and pertussis, mainly affecting children and infants.
Domingo encouraged using herbal medicines for measles and pertussis only to relieve symptoms like fever, cold, and cough. Still, he advised that these illnesses must be treated with appropriate bacterial or viral infection medicines.
