TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health (DoH) in Eastern Visayas on Friday reported a significant increase in firecracker-related injuries in the first two days of the new year, surpassing last year’s total.  

In its bulletin, the regional Health department said that at least 32 people have been injured by firecrackers since 1 January 2025, a sharp rise from the eight cases reported on 31 December 2024.

According to DoH regional information officer Jelyn L opez-Malibago, majority of the victims are males who suffered blast or burn injuries from igniting “kwitis” (skyrockets). Two men from Tanauan, Leyte, lost fingers after igniting a “five star” firecracker.  

Other injuries include eye injuries and those caused by “lantaka” (portable cannon), whistle bombs, fountains, sparklers, and “pla-pla,” a banned firecracker.

The 32 cases exceed the 31 recorded in all of 2024.

Eastern Samar had the highest number of cases with eight injuries, followed by Samar with seven and Leyte with seven.

Health facilities in the region have also recorded 12 deaths due to various accidents and other health emergencies since 21 December 2024.

Since that date, the DoH has recorded 528 injuries, including 393 from road accidents. Other injuries include animal bites, burns, falls, and injuries from bladed weapons, mostly occurring after Christmas parties.  

The DoH also recorded 219 cases of non-communicable diseases, including acute stroke and acute coronary syndrome, which can be linked to unhealthy holiday diets.

Meantime, the DoH is monitoring illnesses arising from unhealthy diets, holiday-related injuries, and non-communicable diseases alongside firecracker-related injuries.  

Health facilities are instructed to monitor acute stroke cases, which occur when blood supply to the brain is interrupted, and acute coronary syndrome, a group of conditions that decrease blood flow to the heart.