DOH reports 139 firecracker injuries
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday reported 139 cases of firecracker injuries and two ingestions since Dec. 21.
DOH spokesman Eric Tayag said the figure was 32 percent lower than the 214 cases reported in the same period in 2015.
Of the 139 injuries, 129 were males and 109 were children below 15 years. The ages of the victims ranged from three to 62 and 78 percent of the cases were in Metro Manila.
Tayag added piccolo, an illegal firecracker designed for children, was still the leading cause of injures at 72 cases.
Blast wounds, he said, must be “immediately washed with clean running water until all visible dirt and gunpowder residue is removed.”
“The patient must immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility for proper medical attention to prevent permanent injuries and disability and deaths due to tetanus,” he said.
DOH Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo noted that egg whites must be given to those who ingested pyrotechnics and firecrackers to prevent poisoning.
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