Councilor warns people of dengue, leptospirosis

MABALACAT CITY -- A councilor here has warned the people of possible spread of the dreaded dengue virus and leptospirosis amid the flooding problem in Pampanga and other parts of Central Luzon brought about by continuous rains.

Councilor Oscar Aurelio, a medical doctor who is also the chairman of the Provincial Board committee on health and sanitation, urged the people to be extra careful following the reported increase in the number of dengue patients and victim of leptospirosis.

As of July 31, the city health office has listed 197 cases of the mosquito-borne virus. But Aurelio said there were no fatalities among individuals who acquired the virus.

The official also disclosed that the City Government is undertaking “preventive fogging” to eliminate adult mosquitoes.

Aside from this, Aurelio said they are also conducting awareness campaign in the city’s 27 barangays to educate the people on how to get rid of insects by cleaning the surroundings which are also possible breeding grounds of mosquito-carrying the virus.

Aurelio at the same time cited the threat of leptospirosis particularly in residential areas in the province which are still flooded.

Leptospirosis is a vector borne disease caused by various species of the Leptospira bacteria.

However, unlike other vector borne diseases such as malaria, dengue or rabies are transmitted only through physical contact with the infected animal.

It does not require the physical presence of the animal, most commonly rodents, for the disease to be transmitted.

As long as there is contact between the skin or the mucous membranes with water, mud or vegetation that has been contaminated by the urine of vector animals, disease transmission can occur.

Leptospirosis is an endemic disease in the Philippines. It naturally occurs in various parts of the country at specific seasons. Heavy torrential rains and flooding caused by huge typhoons such as Ondoy in 2009 and Sendong, for example, triggers the outbreak of leptospirosis in the affected areas.

Aurelio, a three-termer councilor here, will be running for board member in the first district of Pampanga in next year’s elections.