Capitol keeps eye on leptospirosis, dengue

Thursday, February 2, 2012

THE Iloilo Provincial Government warned the public against the rise of leptospirosis and dengue cases in the province.

The number was noted in the monitoring of the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Pesu) of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

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Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ma. Socorro Quiñon said that from January 1-28, 2012, the Provincial Government has already recorded 63 cases of leptospirosis with three confirmed deaths -- one from Janiuay and two from Cabatuan.

She said that for the same period last year, only 15 leptospirosis cases were recorded.

For dengue fever, Pesu recorded 22 cases for the period of January 1-28, 2012, with two deaths -- one from Leon and the other one from Pavia.

Quiñon said the same number was recorded in the same period last year but with only one death.

Because of these, the Provincial Government has sent medicines to the different hospitals in the province, Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. said.

Defensor directed PHO personnel to intensify information campaign on leptospirosis and dengue to make people aware of how to avoid the diseases.

"We cannot afford to let the dengue outbreak which happened in 2010 to happen again," he said. (PR)