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Pedestrians cross an intersection in Makati City on March 27, 2024. Filipinos should brace for a scorching dry season, which could pose health risks, state weather bureau PAGASA said, days after they declared the start of the dry season. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Crossing the Street amid the Heat

Arra Perez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171394816524420240327-heat-iindex-makati-cbd-MD-8.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Pedestrians cross an intersection in Makati City on March 27, 2024. Filipinos should brace for a scorching dry season, which could pose health risks, state weather bureau PAGASA said, days after they declared the start of the dry season. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pedestrians cross an intersection in Makati City on March 27, 2024. Filipinos should brace for a scorching dry season, which could pose health risks, state weather bureau PAGASA said, days after they declared the start of the dry season. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) is asking the public to take precautionary measures amid the intense heat being felt in different areas in the country, as heat-related illnesses choose no age or health status. </p><p>DOH spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo on Wednesday said it is still best to drink lots of water and avoid the outdoors from 10 am to 4 pm. </p><p>&quot;Walang pinipiling edad ang heat-related illnesses. Mas vulnerable lang po ang ating nakatatanda at nakababata. Kahit iyong physically fit kasi may mga kababayan tayo na sinasabi na kaya ko naman ito, matagal na akong nagtatrabaho or something like that. Ang sagot namin is mag-ingat pa rin po tayo,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News. </p><p>(Heat-related illnesses choose no age. The elderly and children are only the most vulnerable. Even the physically fit--since some say that they can endure the heat, have been working long, already. Our answer is to still take care.) </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/23/44-degree-scorcher-threatens-metro-manila-aparri-heat-index-reaches-48-degrees-658" id="isPasted">44-degree scorcher threatens Metro Manila</a> </div><p>The DOH has recorded 34 heat-related illnesses based on its Event-based Surveillance and Response (ESR) system from January 1 to April 18, 2024. </p><p>Of the figure, six have died, though the agency is still verifying the actual cause of deaths. </p><p>&quot;Kasi minsan nagkakaroon tayo ng mga tinatawag na &#x27;heat-influenced&#x27;. Ito iyong sinabi na namin before na inatake sa puso dahil mas mainit ang panahon, mas tumaas ang blood pressure so strictly speaking, hindi siya heat stroke, pero heat-influenced siya,&quot; Domingo explained. </p><p>Among the 34 cases are 27 for verification, but which Domingo said were participants in a street dance activity between 10 am to 4 pm. </p><p>&quot;So paalala natin sa ating mga kababayan, wala namang problema kung meron tayong mga fiesta, meron tayong mga selebrasyon pero piliin natin iyong oras,&quot; he added. </p><p>(We remind our countrymen: There is no problem with joining fiestas and celebrations but let&#x27;s choose the time.) </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/18/pagasa-warns-some-areas-at-risk-of-extreme-danger-heat-up-to-52-c-above-1439" id="isPasted">PAGASA warns some areas at risk of &#x27;extreme danger&#x27; heat up to 52°C above</a> </div><p>The DOH said the &quot;most number of heat related illnesses in recent years was recorded at 513 in the year 2023&quot;. </p><div><strong>INDOOR AREAS</strong></div><p>Aside from the outdoors, the Health department said indoor areas must also be well-ventilated: with electric fans or aircon, windows that can be easily opened, and a high ceiling is recommended for better air flow. </p><p>&quot;Parang noong panahon na tayo&#x27;y nag-iingat sa pandemya, ang gusto natin ventilation. Ngayon naman ang kalaban natin is temperaturang mataas,&quot; Domingo shared. </p><p>(As with the time we were keeping safe during the pandemic, we want good ventilation. Now our enemy is high temperatures.) </p><p>Hydrating is still a must, while the official said there is no prescribed energy drink. </p><p>&quot;Maraming mga nagtatanong, kailangan ba may brand iyong sports drinks, mga refreshing? Hindi naman po. Ang sabi naman namin, walang pumipigil sa ating kababayan kung type nila iyon pero hindi namin kailangang i-endorse. Kasi ang pinakamahusay talaga ay clean drinking water,&quot; said Domingo, who is also a doctor. </p><p>(Many are asking, do we need to take branded sports drinks as refreshers? Not necessarily. We are saying, no one is preventing our countrymen if they want to drink those, but we do not need to endorse any particular drink. Clean drinking water is still the most effective hydrator.) </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/16/pinakamataas-na-temperatura-ngayong-2024-pumalo-sa-40-degrees-celsius-1806" id="isPasted">Pinakamataas na temperatura ngayong 2024, pumalo sa 40 degrees Celsius</a> </div><p>In Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in Manila, school authorities made good use of the suspension of in-person classes to improve facilities. </p><p>&quot;Pinapatanggal natin ang cabinets na nakakaharang then iyong windows na nag-stuck na noong pandemic pinapaayos natin... Dito naman, most of the classrooms ay aircon,&quot; said school principal Randy Emen. </p><p>(We are removing obstructive cabinets and fixing windows that were stuck during the pandemic. Most of the classrooms here are airconditioned.) </p><p>It is also windy in the school grounds because of the tall trees and plants. </p><p>&quot;Nakapagbibigay ng fresh air, ng good oxygen kaya hindi ako nagpuputol hanggat maaari ng kahit sanga ng puno... Maliban sa shade na binibigay,&quot; Emen shared. </p><p>(They give fresh air and good oxygen, which is why I did not have them cut down as much as possible, even just the branches--for the shade that they give.) </p><p>Still, the DOH discouraged people from engaging in heavy activities outdoors. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/11/doh-welcomes-school-labor-sector-measures-vs-extreme-heat-1752" id="isPasted">DOH welcomes school, labor sector measures vs extreme heat </a> </div><p>&quot;Iyong mga pagbubuhat, iyong mga repetitive movements which will cause increased heart rate kasi ibig sabihin mas papawisan tayo,&quot; Domingo said. </p><p>(Avoid heavy lifting and repeated movements that can elevate the heart rate because we will sweat more.) </p><p>&quot;Exercise - ako mahilig akong mag-exercise - pero pipiliin din natin iyong oras. Mas maganda mag-ehersisyo sa umaga... earlier, the better, mas mahilig iyong panahon. Or late in the afternoon... or 6 pm, iyong mga kaagahan ng gabi para hindi tayo tamaan ng init </p><p>(We can exercise -- I do-- but choose the best time. It is better to exercise in the morning. The earlier, the better, the weather is cooler. Or late in the afternoon or 6 pm, early in the evening when we do not experience much heat.) </p><p>In case of heat-related emergencies, one must be alert to give first aid and eventually call for help. </p><p>&quot;Ang ating first aid lagi ay alisin sa init ng araw kapag nakakita tayo ng tao na naiinitan at siya po ay tingnan kung responsive ba siya o hindi. Kung hindi responsive, pag tinanong natin kung kumusta ka na, gising ka pa ba at hindi sumasagot, tumawag na po tayo ng tulong. Kasi importante na meron tayong mga responder na parating,&quot; Domingo said. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/4/23/maguindanao-del-sur-under-state-of-calamity-due-to-dry-spell-006" id="isPasted">Maguindanao del Sur under state of calamity due to dry spell</a> </div><p>(Our usual first aid is to remove the person from sun exposure and see if they are still responsive or not. If they no longer do, when we ask, call for help. It is important for a responder to arrive.) </p><p>While waiting for responders to reach the area, companions can loosen the person&#x27;s clothes and fan them, the DOH spokesperson added.</p><p>If they are conscious and can take water, they can give them small sips.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QuWddB1engc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Health is asking the public to take precautionary measures amid the intense heat being felt in different areas in the country, as heat-related illnesses choose no age or health status.</p>

The Department of Health is asking the public to take precautionary measures amid the intense heat being felt in different areas in the country, as heat-related illnesses choose no age or health status.

Even physically fit people may get heat-related illnesses: DOH

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Even physically fit people may get heat-related illnesses: DOH

Arra Perez,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 24, 2024 04:54 PM PHT

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