Last Monday, the Ministry of Health of the State of Guanajuato (SSG) launched a campaign to prevent the spread of heat-related illnesses.
The season of extreme heat starts around mid- to late March and generally lasts until the month of October.
“I would like to point out that the Ministry of Health is equipped with highly-trained staff and the necessary tools to respond to any situation that may arise during the hot months,” commented Health Minister Francisco Ortiz Aldana.
He went on to stress the gravity of dehydration, advising the general population to visit the nearest health clinic if they present any symptoms.
According to Yazmín López Chávez, head of the State Department of Epidemiological Research, the precautions to be taken to prevent the spread of heat-related illnesses are the same as those encouraged during flu season: it is important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and parents are asked to abstain from resorting to home remedies, and instead, should head to the closest medical facility in the event that their children should experience gastrointestinal upset. He also concluded his address by underlining that dehydration is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly.
Since March 5, the Department of Protection against Health Risks, led by Luis Carlos Zuñiga Durán, has inspected the sanitary conditions of 1,775 establishments whose central operations involve fish, ice or water (including 41 recreational centers such as the region’s hot springs). Moreover, the department has taken over 800 samples of food products, which have been submitted for laboratory analysis.
“During the summer months, the consumption of fish and shellfish tends to increase and it is our job at the Ministry of Health to ensure that seafood of the highest quality arrives on the tables of local consumers.”
The government strongly recommends that people take extra precautions when consuming seafood and to take special care at outdoor recreational facilities, particularly at the hot springs, to avoid excessive exposure to the sun, drinking lots of water and using sunblock.
