MANILA, Philippines — There is a total of 3,773 cases of common illnesses in evacuation centers sheltering people who were displaced by Taal Volcano’s eruption.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III said most of these cases recorded as of Tuesday were fever, cough and colds.

“These are common illnesses for which consultations were sought,” Duque said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum on Wednesday.

Duque said other  health issues recorded were hypertension for older evacuees and  diarrhea, which has gone down as of Tuesday.

“Meron tayong minor injuries na hindi syempre maiwasan din dahil puno ng tao, at ‘yung eye irritation at skin diseases na naaapektuhan din ng makapal na abo   (We have recorded minor injuries which is inevitable because the areas are crowded, as well as eye irritation and skin diseases that are also caused by thick ash.),” said Duque.

Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that as of 6 a.m.  Wednesday, it showed a total of 71,717 families or 282,021 individuals in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region have been affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption.

Of this figure, 39,052 families or 148,987 are currently in 493 in temporary shelters.

Duque said there are a lot of health challenges in evacuation centers that need to be addressed.

The Health Secretary said  that the government has enough medicines for these medical conditions and that augmentation of health personnel was already provided from DOH regional offices.

The DOH is likewise conducting vaccination in evacuation sites. (STACY  ANG/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)