DOH verifying 6 deaths due to intense heat

MANILA — Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Tuesday his department was verifying 6 deaths related to the intense heat scorching the country in the past weeks.

Sustained exposure to high temperatures could cause heat exhaustion and stroke that could lead to death.

A total of 34 cases of heat-related illness were reported to the DOH from January 1 to April 18, 2024, but Herbosa said more individuals could have been affected during the period.

Patients with heat-related illness "do not always go to the hospitals," Herbosa said. 

"The ones that go to us are already the severe type, which is heat stroke or heat exhaustion," he said.

Unusually hot weather has gripped the Philippines since the onset of the dry season in late March. It peaked notably in April with record-breaking heat in Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon.

The hot weather is predicted to further intensify in the next weeks or until mid-May.

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