DOH deploys leptospirosis meds stocks to evacuation centers, disaster response teams

Published August 20, 2013 10:29pm

Ample supplies of medicines against the water-borne disease leptospirosis are available to evacuees and disaster response teams exposed to flood waters, the Department of Health said on Tuesday.

Director Eduardo Janairo of DOH Metro Manila regional field office said thousands of doxycycline capsules against leptospirosis were deployed to evacuation centers, so people exposed to bacteria-infested flood waters may get protection from the disease.

We have already prepositioned 10,000 doxycycline capsules/tablets in Taguig, Navotas, Valenzuela, San Juan, Quezon City (15,000 capsules), Mandaluyong, Manila, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque," Janairo said.

He said the DOH may give additional stocks in case the rescue teams will need more.

The DOH official said public schools in Quezon City, San Juan and Pateros received their supplies of doxycycline and other medicines during the DOH's dengue and leptospirosis awareness campaign in recent months.

DOH information flyer on leptospirosis

"Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. Humans become infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment," according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO added that the leptospira bacteria may "enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes. Person-to-person transmission is rare."

"In the early stages of the disease, symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, haemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rash," the WHO also said.

The DOH Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) reported 133 cases from January 1 to August 10, 63 percent lower compared to the same period last year with 357 cases.

Ages of the patients ranged from 11 months to 82 years, and 81 percent of the cases were male. Most cases or 22 percent were from Manila City. Ten deaths were recorded.

Doxycycline capsules were given to affected and exposed individuals, even as health centers were open and Vitamin A was given to children in evacuation areas.

“We are ... continuously monitoring events and immediately responding to health needs of those affected by Habagat, especially those in evacuation centers and emergency rescue personnel. I advise everyone who will wade in floodwaters to wear protective gears in order not to be affected by leptospirosis,” Janairo said. — ELR, GMA News

Tags: leptospirosis, evacuationcenters