BY JOVEN TUNGALA
Senator Francis Tolentino on Saturday called on the Department of Health to issue advisories to guide the public on seasonal illnesses and health issues that emerged throughout the year.
Tolentino made the call amid the increasing cases of measles and pertussis, rabies infection, and other factors like weather, volcanic activity, or potable water disruptions that affect public health.
In consultation with Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, spokesperson of the DOH, the lawmaker pointed out the need to raise the public’s awareness regarding illnesses that emerge because of the season, disruptions, and bacterial and viral infections.
According to Tolentino, this can be done with the help of the Health department.
From January to March 2024, Domingo said Domingo, the number of recorded cases of measles reached 1,189, 862 for pertussis with 49 deaths, and 89 for rabies.
He said measles and pertussis are included in the ‘routine immunization’ as preventable diseases, but the government failed to implement immunization for these diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Domingo stated that rabies infection invariably leads to death, and vaccination is administered to carriers of the virus, such as cats and dogs.
Considering the Philippines’ rich resources of herbal plants, Tolentino inquired about the potential use of herbal remedies for measles and pertussis, which primarily affect children and infants.
Domingo suggested the use of herbal remedies for measles and pertussis to alleviate symptoms such as fever, cold, and cough.
However, he emphasized that these diseases should be treated with proper antibacterial or antiviral medications.
