Sunday 20 January 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, January 20, 2013



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)