The Philippines' health department reported 235 fireworks-related injuries during the latest New Year period on Thursday, a sharp decline from a year earlier.
The Department of Health (DOH) said the cases were recorded from December 21, 2025, to 4 a.m. on January 1, 2026, which included 62 injuries during New Year's Eve celebrations.
This number is 42% less than the 403 cases recorded during the 2025 year-end celebrations.
Health spokesman Albert Francis E. Domingo said the low numbers are encouraging but not final, as nationwide surveillance to track late arrivals to hospitals will continue through Jan. 5.
“Even as we see lower levels today [count] Compared to last year's count for fireworks-related injuries, DOH estimates that late reports will range from today, Jan. 1, to Jan. 5. We expect the low count to persist,” he said in a statement.
He warned that even minor burns or wounds caused by fireworks can lead to tetanus, a potentially fatal infection whose symptoms usually appear about eight days after the injury, and in some cases as long as three weeks.
Mr. Domingo urged the injured to seek immediate medical consultation, noting that tetanus vaccination is available in hospitals across the country. – Chloe Marie A Hufana