The House of Representatives Committee on Health on Tuesday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to make anti-leptospirosis drugs readily available in evacuation centers during the rainy season.
AnaKalusugan party-list Rep. Ray T. Reyes, vice chairman of the Committee on Health, made the statement as he voiced concern over the DOH data on the rise in leptospirosis incidence amid the onset of the rainy season.
The DOH reported that 182 new leptospirosis cases were recorded from June 18 to July 1, a 42-percent jump from the 128 cases reported two weeks prior.
Reyes said diseases like leptospirosis were likely to surge during typhoons when flooding is common.
“Leptospirosis is a preventable disease. In times like this when flooding is expected, I hope prophylaxis is readily available for our people who have to move to evacuation centers,” Reyes said.
Reyes said having leptospirosis medication readily available in evacuation centers is a proactive approach in preventing the spread of the disease during calamities.
“Leptospirosis is no joke and the number of people affected by it continues to increase,” the lawmaker said.
“Prevention is better than cure and we hope that we can protect our kababayans from leptospirosis before it reaches an irreversible stage,” he added.
Reyes also cited the DOH data that a total of 1,582 cases of leptospirosis were recorded from Jan. 1 to June 3.
This is 72 percent higher compared to the 920 reported during the same period last year.
Data from the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau also showed an increase in deaths due to leptospirosis with 161 deaths recorded compared to 135 last year.
Meanwhile, Reyes also advised those living in areas recently hit by floods to take precautions against water and food-borne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, and dengue.
Reyes also urged to take extra care, especially those in the evacuation centers. “Diseases such as coughs, colds, and fevers are easily transmitted” especially in places with poor ventilation like evacuation centers.
Several areas in the Philippines were hit by torrential rain caused by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Egay with some local government units (LGUs) declaring a state of calamity due to massive floods.