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ILOILO CITY — The Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH 6) has advised the riding public and drivers to wear surgical masks to protect themselves against pulmonary illness caused by dust weeks after Typhoon 'Frank' triggered mudflows in parts of the region.
With the drying of mud and murky water that inundated this city and many other areas on Panay Island at the height of Frank on June 21, "our problem now is the dust," said Lydia Depra-Ramos, DOH 6 regional director.
Ramos warned commuters and residents of the "dust storm" which may aggravate pulmonary diseases such as asthma, cough, and other lung problems.
Ramos recommended to the local government units-particularly in this city and in Aklan province-to provide their constituents with surgical masks "or even improvised masks for protection from dirt."
The dried up mud develops into a powdery substance and swiftly goes airborne that could be easily inhaled. It causes cough and transmits airborne contaminants, Ramos said.
She said residents could immediately seek medical attention in available health facilities. "Health centers were adequately provided with medicines for free," she said.
The DOH has reported that typhoid fever and leptospirosis are the predominant illnesses monitored by the regional epidemiology center as clean water became scarce after the typhoon destroyed several water systems in the region. INQUIRER
