DoH warns of El Niño-induced diseases

THE Department of Health (DoH) warned the public of the rise of certain diseases, including dengue, typhoid fever, cholera, heat stroke, leptospirosis and chikungunya, due to the El Niño phenomenon.

The climate pattern, characterized by hot weather and drought conditions, could trigger such illnesses, the DoH said in a Facebook advisory.

It urged the public to regularly monitor weather forecasts, hydrate adequately, wear comfortable clothing, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 50 or more, eat nutritious food and exercise.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday that there was a slim chance of a tropical cyclone entering the country until the end of the month.

It added that the northeast monsoon has re-emerged but is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

«Slowly in the coming days, amihan would re-enter the country, specifically Luzon, and would again bring cold nights and mornings and would last maybe until the second week of March,» weather specialist Benison Estareja said.

He added that the easterlies passing through the Pacific Ocean would bring warm and humid weather across the archipelago.

Overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms were expected over Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Davao Region within the next 24 hours.

The state-run weather agency said the same weather system along with localized thunderstorms were affecting Metro Manila, while the rest of the country could experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated downpours and thunderstorms.