The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said 118 individuals suffered from heat exhaustion in March as the dry season started in the country.

In a press briefing, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said 85 of the total were students from Cabuyao, Laguna who suffered from heat exhaustion on March 23.

The remaining cases were documented on March 9 among 33 students from four high schools in Valenzuela.

Vergeire said the health department had yet to receive reports of severe or critical cases.

“For now, wala pa tayong na-report na severe o kaya naging kritikal dahil dito. Kung sila man ay nadala sa ospital, sila naman ay binigyan lang ng first aid o karampatang lunas at pinauwi na rin pagkatapos,” Vergeire said.

Vergeire also reminded Filipinos to drink enough water and avoid staying directly under the sun.

“Lagi tayong uminom ng maraming maraming tubig. ‘Wag tayong bumilad sa araw, at kung hindi mapipigilan, tayo ay magpayong. Magsuot tayo ng mga light clothing at ‘wag [mga damit na] nakakadagdag sa init ng ating katawan,” she said.

Signs of heat exhaustion may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, rapid heartbeat, heavy sweating, weakness, and thirst. John Ezekiel J. Hirro