DOH checking on reported 6 deaths due to heat stroke

A fisherman sleeps on his boat as children swim behind him in a river to beat the summer heat in Manila on May 26, 2014. The Philippines has been experiencing the hottest days of the year with temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) recorded in parts of the city. AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS (Photo by NOEL CELIS / AFP)

HEALTH officials said that there had been 34 cases of what they dubbed as heat-related illnesses, the majority of them due to “heat exhaustion.”

“Tatlo kasi ‘yan, mayroong heat cramps, heat exhaustion or kapaguran saka mayroong stroke, so far ang mga kaso ay heat exhaustion,” DOH Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in an interview over TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

Courtesy: DOH

Six deaths

But Domingo said that there are six fatalities.

Presently, they are checking if the said deaths are directly linked to heat stroke or other underlying factors.

This is the reason as to why Domingo urged the public to exercise caution, and avoid being exposed to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“Importante ang bentilasyon at ang tubig. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Uminom ng tubig during the whole day,” Domingo reminded.

Courtesy: AFP

He said that children and the elderly are most at risk from extreme heat.

“Kahit ang physically fit na adult ay pwedeng mabiktima ng heat-related illnesses, walang sinasanto ito,” Domingo explained.

Heat Exhaustion during exercise

Domingo said that there is a significant number of heat exhaustion cases to which the victims are engaged in exercise, meaning it is not limited to physical laborers.

Courtesy: AFP

He cautioned the public against extensive physical exertion in hot weather conditions.

Kiko Cueto