CAR RESIDENTS CAUTIONED VS. RISING CASES OF FLU DUE TO COLD WEATHER

December 9, 2023 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOHCAR) on Thursday reminded the public to boost their immune system due to the cold weather in this summer capital.
Victoria Malicdan, DOHCAR senior health program officer, also urged the public to adopt the same protective measure practiced at the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic for added health protection.

“You have to mask up especially if you are not feeling well, especially the youth, the immunocompromised like those suffering from diabetes, hypertension, heart ailment,” she said during a press briefing here at the regional health office. Malicdan said that when going to crowded places, which is unavoidable, alcohol will come in handy as a protection from possible infection. The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit here recorded 7,296 cases of Influenza-like illness (ILI), and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) from Jan. 1 to Nov. 15 this year.

The number is higher compared to the 4,277 cases in the same period last year. Apayao recorded a 644 percent increase from 41 cases to 305; Baguio City with an 87 percent increase from 1,204 to 2,256; Benguet logged a 98 percent increase from 1,363 to 2,695; Ifugao with an 82 percent increase from 307 cases to 559; and Kalinga with 56 percent increase with 643 cases to 1,003 ILI and SARI cases this year.

On the other hand, Abra recorded a decrease from 473 cases compared to 260 cases this year,
while Mountain Province also logged an 11 percent decrease from 246 cases last year to 218 cases
this year. Overall, the region recorded a 71 percent increase, Malicdan said, noting that after an initial increase in May, the number of cases stabilized before rising again.

Last Nov. 20, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration
measured a temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius in this city, marking the lowest temperature since the onset of the cold season this year. Baguio City and the rest of the CAR record a low temperature starting in November, which usually extends until the last week of February and sometimes until March of the following year.

(Liza Agoot-PNA)