THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region has placed all regional operations on heightened monitoring as torrential rains and severe flooding from the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) affect families across Region 1.
DOH Ilocos Regional Director Helen D. Tobias, assured the public that emergency response teams, medical personnel, and critical health logistics are fully operational to support local government units (LGUs) and evacuation centers. Essential medicines, first-aid supplies, hygiene kits, and water purification tablets have been pre-positioned throughout the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.
Tobias also warned against ‘WILD’ Diseases and urging residents to avoid wading or swimming in contaminated waters to prevent the spike of leptospirosis—a potentially fatal bacterial infection contracted through open wounds or mucous membranes exposed to animal urine.
“Our preparedness remains our strongest shield against calamities, but public cooperation is vital,” Dr. Tobias stressed. “If you have no choice but to walk through floodwaters, immediately wash your limbs with clean water and soap, and visit your nearest Rural Health Unit (RHU) within 24 to 48 hours for prophylactic Doxycycline treatment.”
The public is also advised to remain vigilant against WILD diseases common during the rainy season:
· Water-borne diseases (Cholera, Typhoid, Diarrhea from unsafe water)
· Influenza and respiratory ailments due to cold, crowded evacuation spaces
· Leptospirosis from flood contamination
· Dengue from stagnant water breeding sites
· Safety Protocols for Evacuees and High-Risk Residents
DOH Ilocos likewise reminds residents in low-lying, landslide-prone, or heavily flooded areas to follow immediate local evacuation orders rather than waiting for conditions to deteriorate. When moving to evacuation centers, families must:
Secure Clean Water: Drink only bottled water or water treated with DOH-issued aquatabs/boiling.
Pack Maintenance Meds: Keep essential prescription drugs and emergency first-aid kits in waterproof bags.
Practice Sanitation: Maintain proper hygiene and wear masks in enclosed temporary shelters to limit respiratory spread.
The DOH Ilocos CHD Emergency Operations Center remains active 24/7, closely coordinating with provincial disaster offices, LGU health units, and core regional hospitals, including the Region 1 Medical Center and the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center.
For health emergencies, immediate medical logistics requests, or reporting disease clusters in evacuation centers, contact the official DOH-1 hotlines at 0995-865-3945 (Smart) or 0908-873-8451 (Globe).
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