DOH in Cagayan Valley braces for leptospirosis outbreak

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – While in the thick of controlling dengue cases, health officials in the Cagayan Valley Region are now preparing for a possible outbreak of waterborne diseases due to flooding caused by typhoon Pepeng. Dr. Tita Callueng, the regional health director, said that waterborne diseases such as cholera and skin infections have been recorded in some municipalities, with already five deaths attributed to leptospirosis. The Department of Health (DOH) had been combating the resurgence of dengue in the region, which Callueng said has increased by more than 100 percent from 800 cases last year to 1,700 during this year’s first nine months.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV The reported cases were from the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan. No records were available for the island province of Batanes. She said this year’s death toll rose to 31 compared to last year’s only eight fatalities. The outbreak of waterborne diseases had been blamed on the aftermath of the two tropical cyclones that recently hit the country. Health officials said people from affected areas have no choice but to wade in floodwaters where a variety of illnesses can be contracted. “We see people unmindful of the dirty water around them and there are children playing in flooded streets," said Callueng, who expressed hopes that a possible leptospirosis outbreak will not come in the way of their efforts to eradicate dengue fever. A surge in leptospirosis cases had been recorded in Metro Manila by the state-run East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City and San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, as well as the private hospital Medical City in Pasig. (See: Leptospirosis, other diseases hound flood victims) National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag said the cases were mostly attributed to the floods caused by Typhoon Ondoy. Meanwhile, an information drive have been initiated by DOH by coming out with newspaper ads urging the public to avoid wading in floodwaters, by riding in boats whenever available or to use rubber boots to avoid catching the disease. - GMANews.TV