ILOILO City – With the onset of colder weather due to intermittent rains, there is a heightened risk of respiratory illnesses, such as influenza-like illnesses, especially among schoolchildren, according to the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas.
Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, Medical Officer IV and head of the Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease (EREID) and Aedes-Vector Borne Diseases Prevention and Control Program, emphasized the importance of vaccinations to prevent influenza.
Ensuring the entire family, particularly children, receives the flu vaccine is vital, she said.
Natalaray further advised minimizing the risk of infection by avoiding congested areas, especially those who are vulnerable, such as senior citizens and persons with co-morbidities.
She also stressed the importance of covering one’s mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, practicing frequent hand washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, maintaining mask usage indoors, and ensuring good air flow and ventilation in enclosed spaces.
Parents and guardians must be vigilant, too, Natalaray added. If children show signs of respiratory illnesses, they should wear a face mask and be excused from classes to prevent the spread of infections among peers.
According to Natalaray, since the beginning of the school year, the risk of person-to-person transmission of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and other waterborne diseases, has increased due to the large number of children in classrooms, which facilitates direct contact and the emission of droplets.
From January 1 to August 3 of this year, the region recorded 1,614 cases of influenza with two fatalities, marking a 36 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2023, which saw 2,527 cases.
Here is a breakdown of this year’s cases per province and highly urbanized city:
* Aklan – 55 cases
* Antique – 110 cases
* Capiz – 11 cases
* Iloilo Province – 414 cases
* Iloilo City – six cases
* Negros Occidental – 851 cases, with one death
* Bacolod City – 167 cases, with one death/PN
