The spokesperson of Task Force El Niño on Sunday, February 18, warned of the possible outbreaks of cholera and typhoid fever amidst the current "strong and mature" El Niño.
Interviewed during DZRH Huntahan, Task Force El Niño Spokesperson Joey Villarama attributed the possible outbreak to lowering drinking water supply.
"Pwedeng magka-outbreak niyan ng cholera at typhoid dahil sa kakulangan ng source ng tubig," he said.
Villarma, however, assured that the Department of Health (DOH) is ready for the potential cholera and typhoid fever outbreak.
Asec. Joey Villarama, Spokesperson, Spokesperson Task Force El Niño: Nag-peak na [ang El Niño]. Actually, ang nararanasan natin ngayon ay strong and mature El Niño nong January pa nagsimula ito.#Huntahan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 18, 2024
LIVE:https://t.co/B40AXuJgHS pic.twitter.com/3fut6NMRnM
Aside from the two diseases, he said the DOH is also looking after skin-related diseases.
"As of yesterday, wala pa naman naitatala [na skin-related diseases]," the Task Force El Niño Spokesperson noted.
In regards to water supply, Villarma said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the National Water Resources Board has assured that dam levels are presently stable.
"Kaya ko sinasabi ko sa ngayon kasi hindi natin alam kung ano ang magiging epekto nang matinding init in the coming month. Pero as an example lang, ang Angat dam, as of February 14, ay nasa 208 meters ang level," he added.
Based on the state weather bureau PAGASA's monitoring, the strong and mature is expected to continue throughout the month.
"The majority of global climate models suggest that El Niño will likely persist until the March-April-May 2024 season, with a transition to ENSO-neutral conditions expected in the April-May-June 2024 season," it added.
As per PAGASA, 10 provinces will experience dry conditions, 17 provinces will have a dry spell, and 24 Luzon provinces and 1 Visayas province will be potential for meteorological drought conditions by the end February.
