DOH warns of the use of generator sets as Albay residents die of gas poisoning

CITY OF LEGAZPI – Bicol’s Department of Health (DOH) issued an advisory Saturday about the dangers of using generator sets after multiple reports of gas poisoning deaths in Albay.

Many areas of the province are still without power after super typhoon Rolly (Goni) knocked down the power poles.

“If used incorrectly, [generator sets] it can lead to the build-up of carbon monoxide (CO) inside homes, garages or buildings that could poison people inside, ”said Ferchito Avelino, DOH Bicol Deputy Regional Director.

Doctors in the province said that the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, shortness of breath, altered mental status and behavior changes, fatigue, malaise or a general feeling of malaise, dizziness, clumsiness or difficulty walking, vision problems, confusion and impaired judgment, nausea. and vomiting, rapid and irregular breathing, and chest pain.

Avelino said that babies, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic conditions such as anemia, respiratory diseases or heart disease are at higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The regional office has also coordinated with local health officials to remind the public of the proper use of generator sets and how to deal with poisoning incidents.

In Ligao City in Albay, one of nine residents who were victims of carbon monoxide poisoning died on Friday. The victim was identified as Rosario Buenavente, 88 years old.

A day later, in the city of Tiwi, two residents also died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The victims were identified as Digna Rañeses, a 60-year-old retired police captain, and her niece, Diona Cas, 39.

Two other members of the Eugene Cas Camanitigue family, 55, and her husband Neri, 53, were taken to a nearby hospital around 12 noon due to dizziness and vomiting.

/ MUF

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