TUGUEGARAO CITY: The Department of Health (DoH) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) has reported an increase in cases of summer-related diseases in the region.

Dr. Janet Ibay, DoH Region 2 Communicable Disease Cluster head, said the DoH has monitored from January to March this year a seven percent increase in food and waterborne illnesses diseases associated with warm weather compared to the same period last year.

"Make sure that food preparation is clean and to avoid storing food that spoils easily," said Ibay, noting that food and waterborne diseases are among the recorded illnesses during the summer because food can easily spoil and go rancid, resulting in "acute gastroenteritis."

Also considered as a summer-related disease is rabies, which has claimed nine lives in Cagayan Valley this year.

The DoH said the entire region has recorded nine cases of rabies fatalities in Isabela and Cagayan provinces which is lower than the 13 deaths recorded in the same period last year.

Ibay said the DoH will intensify its information campaign for "responsible pet ownership" to prevent more deaths due to animal bites.

On the bright side, DoH Region 2 Family Health Cluster head Dr. Anabelle Sanchez has noted that there were no cases of heat stroke recorded in the region since the start of the summer season in March.

"This means that the public is aware of the best things to do now that we are experiencing hot weather," Sanchez said.

Still, the public is advised to drink lots of water and avoid going outdoors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If there are signs of heat stroke, apply ice packs to the patient's armpits, groin and neck. These are the areas rich in blood vessels close to the skin. And cooling them may reduce body temperature.