The Department of Health-Cordillera said influenza is not an alarming case in the region despite the continuous drop of temperature here.
Pagasa recorded a 9.4 degrees Celsius temperature at 6 a.m. on Feb. 21.
A drop in temperature has consistently been recorded in the past days, fearing an increase in influenza-like illnesses.
Pagasa Baguio weather specialist Hilario Esperanza said with the drop to the lowest temperature recorded this year, they are still expecting colder temperatures until the end of the month up to the first week of March.
Karen Lonogan of DOH-Cordillera Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) said flu viruses replicate during the cold weather.
She, however, said since the start of the year, there are 993 flu cases recorded compared with the 2,206 cases noted during the same period in 2019.
Lonogan said despite the virus’ replication in the cold, the possible decrease of flu cases can be related to the Covid-19) scare, making people more cautious about their health.
“Mas naging aware sila, takot sila magkaroon ng sipon or ubo kaya bumaba,” Lonogan said.
Covid-2019 and the common cold are both caused by the coronavirus.
Although there was a drop in influenza cases, Lonogan advised the public to continue practicing proper hygiene. – PNA with a report from Jephryll Jallen Epler
April 20, 2024
