Flooding in the Philippines - Update February 2012

7 February 2012

In response to the floods that have caused widespread damage and over 1000 deaths, please read our guidance about the vaccines you need to take before you go.

Update on the Philippines

7th February 2012

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the narrow strait between Philippine islands Negros and Cebu on 6^th February causing landslides, building collapse and more than 200 aftershocks, some almost as strong. At least 43 people have been confirmed dead and many more are injured or missing. Damage to vital infrastructure including bridges, telephone communications and power limits both obtainable information and response efforts. The area military commander, Colonel Francisco Patrimonio, says they have had to send in more troops to the worst hit city Guihulngan due to rampant looting.

On the southern island of Mindanao malnutrition is on the rise as displaced families have reduced access to nutritious food and the means to prepare it. Donations of powdered milk are also leading to a decrease in children being exclusively breastfed, which increases their risk of diarrhoea and infections. UNICEF is working to provide food and educate families about malnutrition as they recover from the floods caused by Tropical Storm Sendong.

Source: ReliefWeb

12th Janauary 2012

The Philippines are far from recovery as the death toll continues to rise. Tropical storm Washi, known locally as Sendong caused flooding across the island of Mindanao, claiming lives and destroying homes. The estimated number of people affected is now 724,729 with around 1,250 dead. President Benigno Aquino has stationed armed police around the affected areas to dissuade people from going back to where their homes once stood to avoid rebuilding on flood-prone land. Temporary evacuation centres are being built to accommodate displaced people but there is not space for everybody.

Contaminated flood water and a lack of clean water and basic sanitation has also lead to an outbreak of Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease with malaria-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, muscle ache and nausea. Most cases are mild but the disease can reappear with more severe symptoms, including jaundice and meningitis.

128 people in Mindanao have been confirmed as infected, and another 200 are suspected. At least four people have died of the disease. 2600 courses of the antibiotic Doxycycline have been sent to the area to try to limit the outbreak.

Continuous rain has also caused a landslide in Pantukan on Mindanao. Mining had made the area unstable and residents had refused to listen to evacuation warnings as they were mining for gold, according to Civil Defence Chief Benito Ramos. The military is still searching for casualties, but at least 25 have been confirmed dead and 150 more are missing.

The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative on Disaster Risk Reduction Margareta Whalström has spoken about lessons that should be learnt from this tragedy, including the need to educate people about the risks if they refuse to evacuate when warned about a disaster and the increase in impact of disasters because of poverty, urbanisation and deforestation.

For further information click on the following links and download these helpful advice and guidance sheets:

Diarrhoea and dysentery - read more
Flooding related health dangers - read more
Insect protection - read more
Leptospirosis - read more

Philippines country profile: on InterHealth’s Travel Health Advice Centre (THAC)
If you're a TravelWell Plan subscriber and have forgotten your login details please email [email protected]
Sources: Relief Web, ABS-CBN News, BBC News

December 2011

As of 20th December, 957 people have been confirmed dead after tropical storm Washi hit the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines last Friday night, with many still missing. The flash flooding and landslides took many people by surprise as storms of this magnitude are rare in the area.

Over 10,000 houses were totally or partially destroyed, along with schools and ruined agriculture. Some houses were washed along rivers with their inhabitants inside, forcing them to climb out of windows. Swollen rivers flooded at least ten villages as well as two major ports including Cagayan de Oro, where 579 bodies have been found. The flooding caused two landslides and three ships to sink. 20,000 soldiers have been helping with the rescue and evacuation.

The President, Benigno Aquino, has declared a state of national calamity which enables further funding to be released to the aid effort. Over 338,000 people in 13 provinces were affected by the storm, with almost 43,000 taking shelter in a variety of community buildings and evacuation centres.

Advice for those travelling to or working in the areas affected:

Diphtheria/tetanus/(polio)
Typhoid
Hepatitis A

If working remotely or for longer periods of time consider:

Hepatitis B
Rabies
Japanese Encephalitis

Watch for potential outbreaks of cholera, in which case vaccination is recommended.
There is a risk of leptospirosis in these flood-affected areas.
After floods and heavy rains the incidence of malaria, dengue fever and other insect-borne diseases can sometimes increase. Please seek further advice if you plan to travel in the coming weeks.
We recommend that you take a diarrhoea treatment kit with you if are involved in the aid effort in the flood-affected areas.

For further information click on the following links and download these helpful factsheets:

Diarrhoea and dysentery - read more
Flooding related health dangers - read more
Insect protection - read more
Leptospirosis - read more

Philippines country profile: on InterHealth’s Travel Health Advice Centre (THAC)

If you're a TravelWell Plan subscriber and have forgotten your login details please email [email protected]

Sources: Alert Net, Relief Web