Quezon City has recorded an 83 percent drop in leptospirosis cases, but officials continued to urge citizens to remain wary of the disease.
Despite the drop in leptospirosis cases in the first 11 months of 2020, the city government called on the residents to remain cautious and seek consultation if they experience any symptoms of the disease.
Based on the report from the city’s health department, 58 leptospirosis cases with three deaths were recorded from Jan. 1 to Nov. 21, or an 83 percent drop from the 345 cases recorded during the same period in 2019.
Dr. Rolando Cruz, City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit head, said the 83 percent decline is credited to the aggressive prevention campaign and the urgent medical attention given to responders and communities affected by recent typhoons and flooding.
“We immediately gave antibiotics such as doxycycline to our responders and citizens who were exposed to contaminated floodwaters. Thankfully, we were able to control the disease so far, and we hope to maintain this until the end of the year,” he said.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said the decline in leptospirosis cases is a welcome development and reminded the pubic to remain wary of the deadly disease.
“We advise our citizens to wear protective gears, like boots, when they cannot avoid wading through floodwaters, and to cooperate with the city during preemptive evacuation so they won’t get infected and risk their lives in the flood,” she said.
Leptospirosis is an infection caused by leptospira spirochetes bacteria that spreads through the urine or feces of infected animals, especially rats.
Cruz advised residents, especially those who stayed in evacuation centers and living in areas affected by the recent floods, to immediately consult with the health department or the nearest barangay health center if they experience any symptoms of leptospirosis.
“Leptospirosis is preventable and can be treated. Our advice to residents is to be alert for any symptoms and to seek early consultation,” he said.