THE Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao has reminded the public to practice food and health safety especially on New Year's Day celebration.
David Mendoza, regional epidemiologist of DOH, said they already issued Code White Alert on December 21 until January 5, 2018 in observance of the Yuletide Season.
“Meaning to say, that it is in relation to any eventualities na mangyari, lahat ng (that will happen, all) health personnel should be on call, pwede silang tawagin (they can be called in) to respond,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza said they have also tried to “remind people what are the things to look into.”
“Anong dapat gawin or anong dapat kainin (What they should do or what they should eat), or their health,” he said.
He added that so far cases of lifestyle diseases, especially hypertension, has been increasing during the holiday season, more so than the cases involved in firecrackers and fireworks in Northern Mindanao.
“For the food, dili magpalabi sa tambok, matam-is, mamantikaon, daghan og alcohol, para makalikay ta sa diabetes og high blood (we should avoid eating too much fats, sweets, oily foods, and drinking too much alcoholic drinks to avoid diabetes and high blood),” Mendoza said.
The DOH advised the public to avoid food and water-borne diseases through: (1) keeping clean by washing and sanitizing; (2) separating raw from cooked food; (3) cooking food thoroughly; (4) Keeping food at safe temperatures; and (5) using safe water and raw materials.
In case of suspected food-borne illness, the DOH said to preserve the evidence, to seek treatment as necessary, and to report the incidence to the local health department.
Mendoza also reminded the public to be aware of double-dead meat when buying food for the holidays as eating said meat will cause diarrhea and food poisoning.
“The meat should be fresh at dapat may tatak ng (and should have the seal of) NMIS (National Meat Inspection Services),” Mendoza said.
To avoid buying botcha, the following signs must be observed: pale in color with bluish or greenish-gray tint; sticky consistency; foul smell; cold (meat has been frozen); hair and skin not properly cleaned; and lower price compared with fresh meat.