MANILA - With thousands of victims of tropical storm Ondoy trooping to evacuation centers in Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces, the Department of Health (DOH) is concerned that overcrowding will hasten the spread of water-borne diseases.

Health Sec. Francisco Duque III said on Monday that the DOH has already conducted assessments of some 207 evacuation centers set up in flood-hit areas that showed marked water and hygiene problems.

"Tingin namin, pare-pareho ang problema sa lahat ng mga evacuation centers. Nakapag-buo na kami ng medical teams na magsasagawa ng bakuna laban sa measles, pagsabay ng pagbigay ng Vitamin A para sa resistensya," Duque said at a press briefing conducted by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Sept. 28.

("We think the problems are the same in all evacuation centers. We formed medical teams who will conduct immunizations against measles, and who will administer Vitamin A to increase [victims'] resistance.")

Duque said he visited the Malanday Elementary School and Nagka Elementary School in Marikina, both of which are evacuation sites.

Malanday has over 1,000 evacuees while Nangka is jam-packed with 2,000 people.

"Water and sanitation and hygiene are the heaviest problems. We will address this. That's why we need to go to each emergency center and learn the evacuees' condition," he said, adding that the DOH has formed medical teams for each evacuation center.

Duque said evacuation centers remain dirty because there is limited clean water available nearby.

"Kailangan suportahan ng [local government units] upang matulungan na malinisan ang tubig (LGUs need to help clean water)," he said.

Water-borne diseases

Duque also warned the public, particularly typhoon victims, to take extra precautions against water-borne diseases brought about by flood waters.

Sicknesses commonly associated with floods are measles, acute respiratory infections, acute diarrhea, influenza, and leptospirosis (caused by bacteria in animal urine that comes in contact with human skin, eyes, or nose).

"Iyan ang inaasahan nating kumalat sa mga masyadong mataong evacuation centers. (That is what we expect to spread in overcrowded evacuation centers)," Duque said at the NDCC press conference.

Other diseases are acute gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, cholera, dengue, malaria, and hepatitis A.

There can also be accidents and injuries during floods like contusions, lacerations, fractures, or electrocution.

Common symptoms of water-borne diseases include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever.

Symptoms can occur up to 10 days after drinking contaminated water.

Duque advises people to wash their hands regularly, cook food well, and clean surrounding areas. Those who show symptoms of sicknesses or injuries should seek medical help immediately.

Hospitals affected

Tropical storm Ondoy, which hit hardest on Sept. 26, also affected major hospitals in the city.

The Amang Rodriguez Medical Center (ARMC) in Marikina City, for example, was submerged in floods.

The ARMC's generators were flooded, cutting off electricty during the storm.

Duque said 2 spare generators have been sent to the hospital from the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City and the Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City, partially restoring the hospital's power.

Nurses and doctors from other hospitals were also deployed at the ARMC to supplement operations.

The hospital's diagnostic and lab equipment were also severely damaged, and are to be repaired by the DOH Technical Group.

Critical patients at the ARMC had also reportedly been transferred to the EAMC and Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, as well as the Rizal Medical Center.

"So far, OK naman, stable naman ang mga pasyente (So far, they are okay. The patients are stable)," Duque said.

Three other affected hospitals - namely San Lazaro Hospital and Jose Reyes Memorial Hospiatl in Manila and the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City - have reportedly "normalized" operations.

Earlier, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported that the DOH had placed all government hospitals under "blue alert", such that medical personnel have to stay on duty for 24 hours to respond to patients affected by the typhoon.

Duque instructed personnel to be prepared with tetanus shots and other vaccines.

In all, there are 17 government hospitals in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region under "blue alert."

Medical help

Both government and private entities have donated much-needed medicines and medical supplies to flood-hit areas.

Reports said several companies have donated distilled water, while UNICEF donated P5.4 million worth of food and non-food items to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for distribution.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) Cares Foundation was also reported to have donated 5 boxes of assorted medicines, a PNA report stated.

The PHAP also urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to immediately release reimbursements for typhoon victims.

Duque also said that the DOH donated 200 pieces of cadaver bags to the NDCC, 6 boxes of assorted medicines, medical kits and emergency kits, 5,000 bottles of hyposol disinfectant, 1,000 jericans, as well as boxes of medicines sent to Cainta through the Veterans' Hospital medical team.

"There are also P5 million worth of drugs and medicines prepared, of which 961 packs were distributed by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to affected communities," he said.

Though there is reportedly more than enough medicines to go around, Duque said these are being distributed to "priority areas" like Cainta in Rizal, Marikina City, and parts of Quezon City and Camanava areas (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela). abs-cbnNEWS.com