BAGUIO CITY – The City Health Services Office (CHSO) recorded a 248% increase in influenza-like illnesses in the city last year compared to the previous year.
Kimberly Sibayan, medical surveillance officer of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said that in 2024, there were some 6,049 influenza-like illnesses in the city compared to the 1,735 cases documented during the previous year.
However, she reported that there were no deaths caused by the contraction of influenza-like illnesses during the said periods.
Sibayan claimed that the age range of the recorded influenza-like illnesses in the city is 0-96 years.
Further, 51 percent of those who contracted the influenza-like illnesses in the city last year were males and 49 percent were females.
The top ten city barangays with high influenza-like illnesses were Irisan, Bakakeng Central, Camp 7, Loakan, Bakakeng Norte, Asin Road, Sto. Tomas Proper and Kias.
The symptoms of influenza-like illnesses are fever, headache, malaise, myalgia, chills, sore throat and cough that could range from mild to severe and could last from one to two weeks.
Health authorities claimed that influenza-like illnesses are relatively benign illnesses but can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
People with underlying health conditions or those who are pregnant are at risk for serious complications.
Health officials advised to regularly get their flu vaccine annually as there are different strains of flu that persist every year, thus, the importance of being vaccinated to prevent them from contracting the illness.
Flu vaccines are available at the city’s health facilities that could be availed by the residents for them not to contract the said illness. By Dexter A. See