DOH warns of flood-borne diseases

The number of cases of leptospirosis and dengue is expected to increase in the coming weeks as a result of the rains and floods in the last few days brought by an enhanced monsoon.

This year the National Capital Region (NCR) had already recorded a total of 1,121 leptospirosis cases as of Aug. 12.

This was higher by 444 percent from last year’s, when there were only 206 cases in the same period.

Of these cases, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded a total 100 deaths in NCR, with Quezon City topping the list with 36 deaths, followed by the cities of Manila (12) and Caloocan and Parañaque (nine each).

The rising number of cases prompted Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to advise people to quickly consult doctors and seek treatment if they have any of these symptoms of leptospirosis—high fever, muscle pain, bloodshot eyes, chills, severe headaches, vomiting and jaundice.

Garbage control

Duque said the DOH expects to see another increase in the number of leptospirosis cases following last week’s heavy rains and floods.

He said he hoped local governments would improve not only flood control programs but also garbage collection to deprive rats, seen as the main carrier of leptospirosis, of breeding places.

Duque also appealed to the public to take precaution against dengue, since the recent rains and floods had given mosquitoes new breeding grounds or places with water where mosquitoes lay eggs.

He said people should not wait for rashes, a symptom of advanced dengue, to appear before consulting doctors.

Since the start of the year, more than 69,000 dengue cases and 366 deaths have been reported nationwide.

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