Leptospirosis on the rampage in Ilocos region

10/31/2009

Leptospirosis, caused by exposure in floodwater mixed with urine of infected rats, is now on the rampage in Ilocos Region, according to a report of the Center for Health Development (CHD) of the Department of Health in Region 1.

The report said that there were at least 119 persons so far afflicted with leptospirosis in Pangasinan, and 268 in the entire Ilocos Region.

The report covered from October 2 to 20 and that in that 18-day period, there were four deaths that were already recorded in Pangasinan.

Up to October 25, the number of deaths in the whole region was 24.

Towns reported to have the most number of leptospirosis cases in Pangasinan are Mangaldan with 31, Dagupan City, 20 and Binmaley, 16.

All these were flooded at the height of Typhoon “Pepeng” that lashed out from October 8 to 14.

All the patients were brought to the Region 1 Medical Center where they were treated for free based on the order of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

All the patients were reported to have been exposed to the floodwater that might have been mixed with the infected rats’ urine.

Among the four provinces of the Ilocos, the highest number of cases were recorded in La Union where DOH Regional Director Eduardo Janairo, with the approval of Secretary Duque, declared an outbreak of leptospirosis in Aringay, Bauang and Naguilian towns.

Janairo reported he had 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.

In view of the upsurge of leptospirosis in the flooded areas, Janairo mobilized all available men and resources to control the disease.

Despite the upsurge of leptospirosis cases in Region 1, the CHD has assured the public that there is no reason to panic as the situation is well under control.

According to Janairo, the DOH has continuously distributed Doxycycline to risk communities as prophylaxis to residents.

Janairo has advised residents to wear protective devices like boots for those who go to infected and muddy areas.

He tagged that water contaminated by the urine of rats is the principal culprit behind the dreaded disease.

He said that early detection of the disease, which manifests symptoms like that of influenza, and the immediate referral of cases to any health facility or hospital will prevent death to patients.

At the same time, Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. and his wife Gina, distributed prophylactic medicines for leptospirosis. They handed their donation to the Region I Medical Center, City Health Office of Dagupan and the rural health units of Mangaldan, San Fabian, San Jacinto and Manaoag, all in the fourth district of Pangasinan.

The couple said they also made available medicines for tetanus and are continuing with their misting operations against dengue.

The De Venecias said leptospirosis, tetanus and dengue are prevalent during the flood season, which may afflict their constituents exposed to the flood.

PNA

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