I’m sharing with you this brief list of infections that are existing, recurring or has the potential to cause an outbreak. There are non-infectious diseases on the list but, still may cause an epidemic. I wrote this for  People’s Tonight. My source was the ever friendly Dr. Eric Tayag, who was the head of the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) of the DOH. He is now serving as Assistant Secretary of the DOH. I hope you will find this information useful.

Influenza Ah1n1
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The Philippines remain under treat for this global pandemic. While we are waiting for the elusive vaccine to treat the virus, experts recommend proper personal hygiene and increase body resistance.

AIDS (HIV/AIDS)
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(increase of injecting drug users – IDUs; MSM (men who have sex with men); male clients of female sex workers; female sex workers

Bird flu
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The National Avian Influenza Task Force remains vigilant of the possible entry of the avian influenza in the Philippine shore.

Cholera
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Outbreak looms particularly in areas where “integrity of water system is compromised and human factor such as unhygienic practices and sanitation is below the acceptable standard.”

Dengue
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In previous years, the mosquito-borne disease usually peaks during the colder months, but now cases have been reported at any given time of the year.

Food poisoning
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To avert food poisoning, Dr. Tayag recommends consuming food from reputable sources and as much as possible cook the food properly.

Gastroenteritis
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Symptoms can vary depending on the cause of the illness, but the classic signs of stomach flu are combination of diarrhea, fever and vomitting.

Hepatitis B
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A serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. It can cause a lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.

Injuries
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Health experts are concerned about the hidden epidemic of injury cases.
Although it’s not infectious it can cause deaths.

Influenza pandemic
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Scientists say the deadly birdflu virus is mutating steadily and may eventually acquire the changes it needs to be easily transmitted from human to human.

Leptospirosis
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Infected rodents and other wild and domestic animals pass the bacteria in their urine. The bacteria can live for a long time in fresh water, damp soil, vegetation, and mud. Flooding after heavy rainfall helps spread the bacteria in the environment.

Measles
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Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious – but rare – respiratory infection that is caused by a virus. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose.

Malaria
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The problems of controlling malaria are aggravated by inadequate health structures and poor socioeconomic conditions.
The situation has become even more complex over the last few years with the increase in resistance to the drugs normally used to combat the parasite that causes the disease.

Meningococcemia
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The DOH still expects sporadic cases of meningococcemia in different parts of the country, but health authorities assured that current distribution of cases do not pose any serious outbreak.
Meningococcemia is an acute (sudden onset) infection of the bloodstream and developing vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.

Neo-natal tetanus
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Neonatal (newborn) tetanus is the most common form of tetanus in developing countries. The disease is caused by contamination of the umbilical stump with spores following childbirth through cutting the cord with an on-sterile instrument or by application of animal dung to the cut cord.

Other causes of poisoning not necessarily food-related
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The incident of mercury exposure of students and faculties of St. Andrew’s School in Paranaque a few years ago has heightened public awareness on environmental poisoning.

Rabies
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Rabies is acquired from virus in saliva entering a bite wound caused by an infected animal, usually a rabid dog. The severity of the bite determines the risk of infection. The disease does not usually spread from man to man.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
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He said women should be careful because they are the last to know that they have STDs unlike the male population whose symptoms are florid or obvious.
Some women patients may have ectopic pregnancy only to find out they are infected with STD.

Typhoid fever
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This is related to cholera and gastroenteritis in terms of breakdown of hygiene, sanitation and availability of clean potable water.

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
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In relation to influenza pandemic, cases of upper respiratory tract infection may increase during the rainy months. URTI is a nonspecific term used to describe acute infections involving the nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. An example is the illness known as the common cold.