Epidemic feared in evacuation centers

LEGAZPI CITY - Health officials fear an epidemic may break out in 44 congested evacuation centers here housing 65,000 refugees from Mayon Volcano's eruption.

Last night, Marjorie Oplano, 6, of Barangay Masariwag in Guinobatan was taken to the Bicol Regional and Teaching Hospital after she was found to be suffering from asthma.

"She had a bacterial infection which was aggravated by ash inhalation," said Dr. Manny Realuyo, deputy chief of the provincial disaster management office. "Ash inhalation, in large amounts, can even cause asphyxiation and poisoning."

Gerado Bayugo, Bicol health director, ordered yesterday the decongestion of the evacuations centers to avoid the spread of communicable diseases.

During an inspection, Bayugo found out that an average of 20 families are living in one classroom in schools that have been temporarily converted into evacuation centers.

"This congestion is likely to result in the outbreak of communicable diseases," he said.

Dr. Veronica Madulid, provincial health officer, said upper respiratory infections remain the most common ailment among the 65,674 evacuees, especially in Camalig and Guinobatan towns.

Guinobatan reported 163 cases of measles, the highest in the province, followed by this city, 53; Camalig, 26; Daraga, 22; and Tabaco, 2.

Medicines worth P18,541 from the regional health department were distributed to the provincial health office to contain the growing threat to the health of evacuees.

Sherry Longaza of the Albay provicial health office said cough with fever was caused by extreme exposure to cold and by unprotected sleeping quarters, while diarrhea is due to the dirty environment.

"The evacuees are sleeping on the cold pavement thus making them susceptible to cough and colds," she told The STAR.

However, Cedric Daep, Albay relief chief, said the situation remains under control and that there is enough supply of medicines for the treatment of evacuees.

"We are doing everything to avoid epidemic proportions," he said.

Scientists warned of mudflows as Mayon Volcano entered its second week of eruptions after displacing tens of thousands of people and damaging farmlands.

Government volcanologists told residents of places near river banks and low-lying areas around Mayon to be on alert against life-threatening lahar flows, especially when it is raining.

More flaming volcanic debris accumulated as Mayon let out another series of eruptions accompanied by sounds of rumbling, lava fountains and ballistic volcanic fragments between 2:32 and 4:09 p.m. last Wednesday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

A new danger in the form of mudflows confronted towns near Mayon. Mudflows consist of tons of hot volcanic rocks and ash which heavy rains wash off the mountain slopes in raging rivers of destruction.-