119 leptospirosis cases recorded in Pangasinan
AT LEAST 119 people in the province had so far been afflicted with leptospirosis, according to the Center for Health Development (CHD) of the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 1.
In the entire Ilocos Region, 268 cases have been recorded.
The report covered the 18-day period from October 2 to 20, during which four deaths were recorded. Another 20 deaths have been reported as of October 25.
Areas reported to have the most number of leptospirosis cases in Pangasinan are Mangaldan with 31; Dagupan City, 20; and Binmaley, 16. All three areas were severely flooded at the height of Typhoon “Pepeng”
All the leptospirosis patients in the province were brought to the Region 1 Medical Center where, upon the order of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, they were treated for free.
All the patients were exposed to the floodwaters that may have been mixed with the infected rats’ urine.
Among the four provinces in the Ilocos, La Union reported the highest number of cases, consequently, DOH Regional Director Eduardo Janairo, with the approval of health Secretary Francisco Duque III, declared an outbreak of leptospirosis in Aringay, Bauang and Naguilian towns.
Janairo dispatched teams to all the affected towns to coordinate with local executives, conduct community assemblies and environmental assessment and initiate spraying of garbage piles and carcasses of dead animals.
Despite the upsurge of leptospirosis cases in Region 1, the CHD has advised the public not to panic as the situation is well under control.
According to Janairo, the DOH has been continuously distributing Doxycycline to high-risk communities to serve as prophylaxis to residents.
Dr. Janairo has advised residents to wear protective devices like boots whenever they walk thru infected and muddy areas.
He said that early detection of the disease, which manifests symptoms of influenza, and the immediate referral of cases to any health facility or hospital, will prevent death to patients.
The office of Fourth District Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. has began distributing prophylactic medicines for leptospirosis.—LM
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