Palace reiterates DOH's call for Filipinos to
take precautionary measures against flu
Malacang reiterated on Sunday the Department of
Health’s call for Filipinos to take precautionary measures against communicable
diseases such as the cough, colds and influenza, especially since these
diseases are further aggravated by the dip in the country’s temperature brought
about by a cold front affecting the Philippines.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona had earlier ordered
the Bureau of Quarantine to intensify fever screening at the country’s points
of entry as a measure “to detect influenza cases not only at our ports and
airports but also from our health facilities.”
He also called on Filipinos to observe
precautionary measures to stop the spread of influenza.
In a press briefing aired over dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the simple task
of frequent hand washing and further strengthening one’s immune system may
prevent the spread of these disease-causing viruses.
“Wala pa naman sa level that we have to
implement stricter measures to travelers coming into the country but we
continue to appeal to everybody to heed the advice of the health department
when it comes to first, strengthening our immune system so we don’t easily
contract the flu, and other measures like frequent hand washing which is an
effective way to kill bacteria,” Valte said.
“Usually kasi ang mga ganitong sakit is
contracted by contact with other people. So frequent hand washing will prevent
the transmission and further transmission of communicable diseases like the
flu,” she added.
Influenza is a viral illness that spreads from
person to person through droplets made when one sneezes, coughs or talks. A
person becomes sick two days after being infected. PND (rck)
