Friday, July 04, 2008 City cautions public on leptospirosis By Erwin Cabarles
WITH the flooding in most areas in Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas said Thursday that the public should take care from being infected with leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that is characterized by jaundice and fever. It is transmitted to humans by contact with the urine of an infected animal.
Last Wednesday, a man from Mandurriao district died from the said disease.
Treñas said that according to his sources, the victim was already suffering from the said disease before the city was flooded.
Despite his condition, the man waded in the floodwater to help in the cleaning up of their house.
This worsened the victim's condition.
Another case is recently recorded in the La Paz district. The person infected is being monitored by the Department of Health (DOH).
Treñas said the public should be careful as DOH says those who had direct contact with the floodwater might be infected with leptospirosis.
"We should be careful these days. If someone is sick, go to the nearest district health center or to any doctor so that he will be given proper treatment. This especially goes to those who had contact with the floodwater," Treñas said.
The public is also advised to take doses of Vitamin C to help boost the immune system against leptospirosis.
The City Government has distributed doxycycline to some baranggays in La Paz, Mandurriao, and Jaro 1 and Jaro 2.
Doxycycline is a prophylaxis used to protect the body from diseases such as leptospirosis.
