Volcanic ash covers a street at Bago City, Negros Occidental province on Dec 10, 2024, a day after an eruption of Mount Kanlaon. - AP
MANILA: The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday (Dec 10) warned of possible health hazards that may develop following the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental.
The DOH leadership has ordered its Centers for Health Development (CDHs) to step up coordination with local government units, enhance surveillance, and prepare for potential disruptions due to Kanlaon’s explosion.
In a statement, the DOH enumerated the potential health risks following the volcanic blast:
>Respiratory illnesses (volcanic ash can irritate the respiratory tract, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or the like)
>Eye irritation (ash particles can cause redness, itching, and pain in the eyes)
>Skin irritation (prolonged ash exposure may lead to skin rashes)
>Water contamination (ashfall increases the risk of waterborne diseases)
“Our immediate concerns are ash fall and potential lahar should the pyroclastic density currents encounter water,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
He encouraged affected residents to practice health measures such as wearing N95 masks or any readily available masks, eye protection like goggles, avoiding using contaminated water, frequent hand washing, and thorough preparation for food.
The DOH said it has instructed local hospitals and health facilities to prioritize the admission of pregnant women in their third trimester, especially those with complications, and for CHDs to ensure a sufficient supply of N95 masks, eye protection, water purification tablets or filters, medicines, hand sanitizers, and antiseptic wipes.
Mt Kanlaon volcano erupting as seen from a village in La Castellana, Negros Occidental province central Philippines. - AFP
“CHDs will also be implementing a cluster approach to delivering emergency services for medical and public health; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH); nutrition, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS),” the DOH noted.
Herbosa then urged residents around the volcano to heed the advice of local authorities and to stay updated by monitoring notices from official channels of concerned government agencies.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the volcano had an “explosive eruption” from its crater around 3:03 p.m. on Monday, Dec 9, prompting the state volcanologist to raise the alert level to 3, indicating magmatic unrest.
Defence Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson Gilbert Teodoro Jr on Monday instructed evacuation operations for approximately 87,000 affected residents. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
