LEPTOSPIROSIS finally claimed its first fatality in Dagupan this year, the City Health Office (CHO) reported.

The city has so far recorded two leptospirosis cases from January to June this year.

“The fatality is an adult woman, who was initially diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis,” said Dr. Ophelia Rivera, City Health Officer, in a PUNCH interview.

The unexpected death prompted the CHO to update prophylaxis regimens, and to stockpile antibiotics against leptospirosis.

“Hopefully, it would not turn out like last year, when we needed more than what we expected”, said Rivera.

To prevent being infected by leptospirosis, residents are advised to wear protective gears that would shield them from the leptospira bacteria caused by rodent’s urine.

Aside from leptospirosis, the CHO is also on an alert watch for dengue cases in Bonuan Gueset, Bonuan Binloc, Caranglaan, and Pantal.

Since January, there have been 44 cases of dengue already recorded in the city but no deaths have been linked to dengue.

Aside from dengue, Rivera also warned about acute gastroenteritis cases that already reached 293 cases and three have already died.

Rivera urged the public to be conscious of sanitation in their surroundings, to drink clean drinking water, and thoroughly cook their food to prevent acute gastroenteritis.

To avoid dengue, she said homes should  be free of stagnant water that become breeding places for mosquitoes.

Meanwhile, misting operations were conducted in all public and private schools in the city.

Rivera also mobilized barangay health workers to closely monitor suspected cases of dengue, gastroenteritis and leptospirosis in their communities. (Chub Pasion) I

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