Death of Two Patients in GenSan ‘Unlikely’ Due to Haze — DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) ended speculations stating haze as the cause of the death of two people in General Santos City.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin said upon checking the records of the said victims, the agency found out that there is a big possibility that said deaths were not due to haze.

“There is a big chance that the death of these two patients is not directly related to the haze,” said Garin.

Based on their diagnosis, Garin said, it was found out that the patients died of “asthmaticus”.

“This means that they had suffered severe asthma attack wherein their bronchial tube got narrowed to the point that they had difficulty of breathing,” she said.

She further said that upon checking of the two’s death records, it was revealed that the date and time of death did not match with the time when the 2.5 particulate matter (pm) haze was felt in the city.

The 2.5 particulate matter is so tiny that it can only be seen only through an electron microscope.

Since the said particles are too small, they may penetrate the inner part of the bronchial tube of lungs.

She also said that pm of haze varies in the past few days and getting low in the average.

Garin advised people not to panic. She said it is also very important for areas experiencing haze incidence to limit exposure for safety purposes.

She also said that people should not resort in panic buying of “N-95 mask” as there are enough stocks to be distributed in preparation for the worst case scenario.

“Buy only one or two. Don’t overstock. What is important is you limit exposure to haze outside. If it is (haze) gone, you can go outside. The ones who are susceptible to effects of haze include very young children and elderly citizens, particularly those who have serious heart conditions. Those with asthma and those who are undergoing cancer treatment are also vulnerable to the effects of haze,” she explained.

The two fatalities were a 49-year old electrician with asthma and hypertension who is a resident of the city,l and a 52 year-old man from Ozamis City who suffered asthma attack while staying in the city. (PNA) LGI/BNB/LSJ