LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has reminded Pangasinenses to stay indoors or in shaded areas, remain well hydrated, and avoid strenuous activities amid dangerously high heat index being experienced in the province.

In an interview on Wednesday, PHO chief Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman said individuals, especially those with heavy work and workers under the direct heat of the sun like construction workers and traffic enforcers, should regularly drink sufficient amounts of water.

“Heatstroke is actually a medical emergency so we have to keep our bodies hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day or more,” she said.

De Guzman said a high heat index might result in heat exhaustion and heatstroke that would possibly cause instantaneous death.

As of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the weather state bureau recorded a 52 degrees Celsius heat index in Dagupan City.

The province has been experiencing a high heat index since last week.

In a statement, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the heat index ranging from 41 to 54 degrees Celsius has high chances of causing heat cramps and heat exhaustion and may cause heat stroke if physical activities are not halted.

As of this posting, the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit of the PHO has not recorded cases of heatstroke in the province.

Meanwhile, the PHO is also monitoring possible cases of gastroenteritis due to food poisoning, aside from sore eyes, sunburn, and skin diseases that are common during the dry season.

De Guzman said foods with “sarsa” or sauce can easily be contaminated.

She also urged businesses selling halo-halo and other refreshments to use clean ice and ingredients to protect the welfare of their customers. (PNA)