THE Department of Health (DOH) has monitored over 1,000 acute respiratory infections among individuals who remained in evacuation camps in Albay province in Luzon due to the series of minor eruptions of Mayon Volcano.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that as of July 18, 2023, a total of 20,257 persons have been displaced by Mayon Volcano's eruptive activities. Some of these displaced families have been living inside evacuation centers for over a month now.
Mayon Volcano’s alert status has remained under Alert Level 3, which means there is an increased tendency toward eruption, since June 8, 2023.
DOH Undersecretary Dr. Enrique Tayag said in a press briefing on Monday, July 17, that based on their monitoring from June 12 to July 16, there were a total of 1,624 acute respiratory infections, including cough, colds and sore throats, among some individuals in evacuation camps.
He said there is no outbreak of any disease, adding that they are not reporting diseases that the evacuees might have been suffering, as their monitoring is only a “syndromic” surveillance, or just based on symptoms.
He said if the medical health officers in the area notice something worth testing, the DOH will conduct a confirmation test, citing as example swab tests for those who might have coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
He said that as of Monday, July 17, there are no new Covid-19 cases in evacuation centers in Albay.
He said it appears that the precautionary measures being implemented is working.
The DOH reported an additional of 1,938 Covid-19 cases in the country based on the test results conducted from July 10 to July 16.
Tayag said among evacuees in Albay, there was a decrease in the number of people with fever, headache and wounds, but there had been an increase in people with cough, cold, and sore throat.
From June 12, the DOH monitored 510 people with fever in the evacuation camps, said Tayag.
He assured that medical teams from the national and local government are on standby to assist the affected families.
Tayag appealed to the evacuees to take care of their health, saying: “Mas masusi pang pag-iingat ang inaasahan namin doon sa mga evacuees na nananatili po doon sapagkat sila po ay maaring makakuha ng mga sakit.”
(We expect more precautions for the evacuees who remain in evacuation camps because they may get diseases.)
The DOH stated that it is its duty to prevent contamination that could result in an outbreak. (Kyle Andrei D. Acuña, NWSSU Intern/LMY)