Remember the “6S” this summer, which refers to sore eyes, sunburn, sipon at ubo, suka at tae, sakit sa balat and sakmal ng aso, the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public.
Health Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin urged the public to be very extra careful and make sure to keep themselves healthy.
“This year, the Holy Week signals the start of summer vacation activities, thus, we are urging the public to keep themselves healthy and fit in the midst of their busyness,” Garin said.
Garin revealed that there are six common summer diseases or conditions (6S) that can adversely affect one’s health.
These are Sore eyes, sore eyes, sunburn, sipon at ubo, suka at tae, sakit sa balat and sakmal ng aso.
Sore eyes or conjunctivitis, when mistreated, can lead to blindness. More than just eye irritation, it can easily be due to harmful bacteria or viruses that easily spread to other people. Hand washing can limit its spread. Health experts advise not to use eye drops without consulting a doctor.
Sunburn can be prevented if you hold your outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid direct exposure to sun between 10am to 2pm. Hide in the shade or seek cool places to prevent the ill-effects of too much sun exposure.Use sunscreen appropriately, like choosing a product that retards against both UVA and UVB rays, with at least an SPF30, applying it 30 minutes before actual sun exposure. Re-apply if exposure will be extended and do not forget the ears, nape areas and feet.
Heat stroke is a more serious consequence of too much exposure to sun. This can be avoided by drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water a day.
Sipon at ubo easily spreads even during the summer months, as erratic weather bring sudden downpours from time to time. Senior citizens are advised to get vaccinated against influenza before the flu season begins in June.
Suka at tae follows the consumption of contaminated food or drinks. Be cautious of street foods and also those prepared for out-of-town trips. Remember that food spoils easily during the hot summer months. Always have oral rehydration salt solution ready in case one suffers diarrhea. Seek early consultation to prevent severe dehydration.
Sakit sa balat is another common summer disease in areas where water becomes scarce and that daily bathing is compromised. Usually, inmates in crowded prisons suffer boils due to heat and congestion.
Also, skin diseases abound when one swims in dirty water or unmaintained public swimming pools. Remember to take a bath before and after plunging into the pool and please do not urinate in the pool. However, the real danger in swimming is drowning. Children should not be left alone in the pool or beach.
Sakmal ng aso can lead to rabies if wounds are not washed and cared for properly. Make sure dogs are vaccinated against rabies. If you sustain dog bites, visit the animal bite center to get rabies vaccination immediately.
Summer is also a time for vacation and travel. The health chief also reminded the public to follow simple road safety tips like do not call or text while driving, do not drink alcoholic beverages if you will drive, do not drive if you are sleepy, always wear seatbelt, and always follow traffic rules especially speed limits. For those riding motorcycles or bicycles, always wear your helmet.
“Remember to keep yourself healthy and safe. Let us all have an enjoyable, disease-free, and injury-free summer. May papel tayong pangalagaan ang ating kalusugan” Garin concluded.
WHO urges govt, food industry players to ensure food safety
The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific Region revealed that an estimated 2 million lives globally each year were claimed by unsafe food.
The WHO also urged the governments, the food industry and consumers to observe food safety to save lives and improve global health as diseases caused by unsafe food claim an estimated 2 million lives globally each year.
“Food safety assurance is the responsibility of all stakeholders along the food chain from farm to plate,” says WHO Regional Director Dr. Shin Young-soo as the World Health Day marks on April 7.
“Food producers, manufacturers and traders need to take responsibility for the safety of food they produce and trade while consumers must take preventive measures and follow good food safety practices,” he added.
Unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances, causes more than 200 diseases – ranging from diarrhea to chronic diseases such as cancers. Unsafe food creates a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, particularly affecting children and older people.
Ensuring food safety in the Western Pacific Region is a challenge due to rapid economic development, increase in travel and trade and some countries’ limited capacity to ensure food safety. Diseases caused by unsafe food impede socioeconomic development by straining health-care systems, and harming national economies, tourism and trade. Food supply chains increasingly cross-national borders, as such; collaboration between countries is essential to ensure food safety.
Lost export opportunities, business closure and loss of reputation have severe economic impact. In addition, the hidden cost to national economies due to absenteeism, reduced productive capacity and reduced income of the poorest population can be immense.
These in turn may compromise a country’s ability to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Serious disease outbreaks caused by unsafe food have occurred in our Region over the past 10 years. Examples include the contamination of infant formula with melamine in 2008, which affected 51,900 infants in China and resulted in six deaths.
Following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011, the Fukushima nuclear power plant reactor leaked on March 23, 2011 and radionuclides spread into the soil, atmosphere, food and water. Excessive levels of radioactive iodine were found in raw milk and vegetables.
In August 2013, protein concentrate products from New Zealand were internationally recalled due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum bacteria. This impacted heavily on New Zealand’s economy, as dairy exports contribute NZ$ 11 billion or seven percent of the gross domestic product.
WHO said that it facilitates global prevention, detection and response to public health threats from unsafe food. WHO works to achieve consumer trust in national authorities and confidence in the food supply.
In the Western Pacific Region, WHO’s work is guided by the Western Pacific Regional Food Safety Strategy 2011–2015. WHO together with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is managing the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN)—a network for rapid exchange of information during food safety events of international concern. WHO has also developed “Five Keys for Safer Food” and other food safety guidance.
WHO also provides independent scientific assessments on microbiological and chemical hazards that form the basis for international food standards, guidelines and recommendations, known as the Codex Alimentarius, to ensure food is safe wherever it originates.
“Protecting consumers from the risk of food poisoning and foodborne diseases is a prerequisite for food security and a key component of health security,” said Shin.