DOH flags four health threats as El Niño puts Mindanao communities on alert

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (October 21) — As extreme heat threatens to strain Mindanao communities’ water supplies, the Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring four groups of illnesses linked to a very strong El Niño: heat-related emergencies, worsening chronic diseases, waterborne infections and mosquito-borne diseases that may surge when rains return.

Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado identified the four groups during an October 17 interview on DZRH News’ “Special on Saturday,” outlining health risks as the country braces for a very strong El Niño.

The first group covers heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The second involves the worsening of existing medical conditions, particularly hypertension, diabetes and respiratory diseases.

“Susunod ‘yung paglala ng mga pre-existing diseases. Kapag may hypertension, diabetes, pneumonia, o chronic bronchitis, ‘yun po ang puwedeng lumala,” Mercado said.

Waterborne diseases form the third group. Mercado warned that as usual water sources dry up, households may turn to alternative supplies that have not been tested for safety, increasing their exposure to waterborne infections.

The DOH is also looking into testing water-filtering devices to help ensure that water from alternative sources is safe for use.

“Pero ang gabay ko po sa aming Water Sanitation Department, subaybayan at tiyaking ligtas bago ipagamit,” Mercado said.

The fourth group covers mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue and malaria, which Mercado said could become a concern as drought gives way to the rainy season.

Extreme heat followed by rainfall can create stagnant pools where mosquitoes breed, increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases, he explained. These risks typically emerge later, during the transition from severe drought to rainy conditions.

Dr. Ronald Law, director of the DOH Climate Change Office, also emphasized the need to recognize and respond quickly to heat-related emergencies.

Heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer regulate its temperature effectively, requiring rapid cooling, Law said.

Heat exhaustion, meanwhile, may cause dizziness and fluid loss, making timely cooling and rehydration important.

For Mindanao communities facing extreme heat and possible water shortages, the health risks extend beyond heat-related emergencies. The DOH’s warnings underscore the need to ensure access to safe drinking water, recognize symptoms early and prepare health services for illnesses that may emerge as weather conditions shift from drought to rain.