DOH warns of worsening chronic diseases, spread of illnesses amid El Niño heat
The Department of Health has warned the public to watch for the worsening and spread of four groups of diseases and illnesses, including heat stroke, chronic diseases, and dengue, as El Niño raises temperatures in the country.
In an interview with DZRH on Saturday, Oct. 17, Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado said some illnesses and diseases may be aggravated by severe heat.
According to Mercado, cases of heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, may increase in number as the temperature rises.
"Susunod, 'yung paglala ng mga pre-existing disease. May hypertension, may diabetes, may mga chronic bronchitis," said Mercado.
"'Yung pangatlong uri ay 'yung mga waterborne diseases," he added.
The Health Secretary warned people against using water from unsafe sources, which may increase the likelihood of coming down with a waterborne disease.
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"Kasi 'pag nagtuyuan 'yung source ng water, kukuha doon sa mga ibang hindi naman safe na water source," Mercado said. "Kailangan din namin i-test 'yung mga filtering device. 'Yung iba, may atmospheric water source, mismong sa hangin kukuha, although tuyo na 'yung hangin kaya hindi ko alam kung may mapipiga pang tubig doon sa hangin."
Mercado also advised the public to watch for vector-borne diseases, or those caused by pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Among these diseases are malaria and dengue.
Per Mercado, the risk will increase toward the end of El Niño, at the onset of the rainy season.
"'Pagka-sobrang init tapos umulan, diyan na lalaganap ang malaria, ang dengue," he said. "Kasi mabilis mamumugad 'yung mga lamok."
"Although usually, doon sa latter part na [ng El Niño], 'pag nagsisimula nang mag-transition from severe drought to rainy season," Mercado added.
To mitigate the debilitating effects of severe heat on vulnerable communities, Mercado said he has instructed the DOH to conduct daily assessments of known vulnerable communities, including those with pre-existing diseases, pregnant women, the elderly, and young children.
"Araw-arawin pong dalawin at alamin kung kailangang dalhin sa mga shelter," the Health Secretary said, referring to heat shelters that the DOH is working to put up with help from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
"We're coordinating with DSWD and DILG kung puwedeng magtayo na nu'ng mga heat shelter na kung saan kayang mag-aircon, although kung mawalan nga ng kuryente, malaking problema," Mercado said.
"But at least mayroong mga gamot, may mga tubig, may support," he continued.
The DOH is also working to ensure safe water practices.
"Ang gabay ko sa aming Water Sanitation Department, subaybayan din; tiyaking ligtas bago ipagamit [ang water filters]," Mercado said.
According to PAGASA, El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by warmer-than-usual surface waters. In the Philppines, El Niño typically raises the likelihood of drought across the country, though there can still be above-normal rainfall during the Habagat season, especially if it is enhanced by tropical cyclones.
PAGASA has warned that the Philippines could face a "very strong" El Niño until December this year, which may persist through the first half of 2027.
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