With the death of four residents, the Mimaropa (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) office of the Department of Health has intensified its efforts to combat leptospirosis in Oriental Mindoro particularly in the municipalities of Baco, Naujan, Gloria, San Teodoro and Calapan City.
Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said the three deaths were from Baco, Oriental Mindoro, while one was from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
From Dec. 27, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2015, Janairo said the DoH-Mimaropa Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit reported a total of 50 suspected cases of leptospirosis in Oriental Mindoro.
A total of 24 males and 26 females were affected. Age of patients ranged between six and 76 years old.
As of Jan. 6, 2016, three more suspected cases were reported. They were from the municipalities of Baco with 43 cases (86 percent) were from the Municipality of Baco; Calapan City with 3 cases; and 1 case (2 percent) each from Naujan, Gloria, San Teodoro and San Jose.
“We have already coordinated with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for confirmation of the suspected cases,” said Janairo.
He said Doxycycline capsules had been distributed to evacuation centers and given to evacuees to prevent them from contracting leptospirosis disease.